Year 8 have been enjoying the fabulous coastline of Cornwall with plenty of exhilarating activities

Last week our Year 8 enjoyed a wonderful week in Cornwall. 

This was an opportunity for them to enjoy a special time together, enjoying each other’s company and the very varied and exhilarating activities programme, making the most of the fabulous coastline of Cornwall.

On Monday we left school, all packed up and full of excitement and anticipation, arriving at the brilliant Dinham Farm campsite just before lunchtime, the children quickly started to set up camp – tents, went up, the camp kitchen was unpacked, and we all started to settle into our home for the next five days. After lunch we headed off to Retallack Water Park – a chance to get wet and challenge each other to make it over the inflatables, some of us spending more time in the water than on top of the obstacles! Such a lovely spectacle watching the genuine joy and laughter that swept across everyone’s faces. That evening we spent time relaxing on the beach – digging, playing cricket, chatting and generally enjoying each other’s company.

We were up bright and early on Tuesday, the staff having been up very early cooking a full English breakfast for the campers, once washing up was done and packed lunches made we headed off to Swanpool for a full day of water-based beach activities – kayaking, giant sup, rafting and coast steering were all enjoyed. I am always impressed by the bravery the children (and staff!) show when leaping off the rocks into the freezing sea (it did feel very cold!) – our HZG community seem up for everything; cave exploring, front flips, back flips, starfish entries….you name it they will have a go!

A well-deserved ice cream greeted everyone as we headed off the beach after another exhilarating and exciting day – seeing the Cornish coast from a kayak and being able to work together in a team to get the giant sup (paddleboard that fits at least 12 on it!) around the coastline is always such a fulfilling experience – even if your arms do ache for a while afterwards! We headed back to camp, happy, exhausted, and certainly ready for supper.

Wednesday morning came and a very unsettled day weather wise, another big breakfast and an early start to head off to our activities – half the group went to the Eden Project; a wonderfully magical place that never ceases to amaze – the environment there is nothing short of spectacular and the other half headed off to Padstow, where we collected bikes and cycled 20 miles of the Camel Trail. At one stage I had to remind myself that we were not on a stage of the Tour de France – the children certainly liked to go fast and enjoyed the wonderful scenery on the stretch of the trail between Padstow and Bodmin. The afternoon saw a swap of the groups and by supper time (local Fish and Chips tonight) we were all sharing stories of our adventures – who had fallen off their bike, who had got a puncture, how wobbly the skywalk at Eden was at the very top of the rainforest biome or what amazing flora and fauna had been spotted…

Thursday morning came and there were a few more tired faces at breakfast, but we had the promise of some sunshine. Whilst some of the group headed off for a brilliant surfing lesson at Polzeath with perfect conditions – sun and great waves - everyone loved this time in the sea and we were all impressed by how many were confidently standing up and riding the waves. Others headed to Rock where we caught our Sea Safari boats – wow! – fast, thrilling, very wet and lots of screams is all I can say.  As the boats leapt the waves and we headed out to sea, getting sprayed (soaked!) by the sea in what can only be described as a roller coaster ride, we reached an island where we saw seals and even puffins, as well as hearing tales of pirates and Cornish history.

When we returned to dry land and started walking the coast path everyone felt energised by the experience. The whole group enjoyed the views and sun on their backs. We spent the evening on the beach – lots of boules, chatting, cricket and tag rugby….

Unfortunately, the weather had turned into a drizzly and damp day on Friday and taking the tents down proved to be quite wet! Our campers tackled the arduous task of packing up with the usual spring in their step and before long the camping field was clear, and you couldn’t tell where we had been – the marquee kitchen was packed back into the van and we were heading back to Hazlegrove – the minibuses were certainly quieter on the way back than going…..!

Flickr album: Year 8, Leavers Trip to Cornwall, Week 10, Summer Term | Height: auto | Theme: Default | Skin: Default Skin