Year 11 English Trip to Colomendy

A group of 26 year 11 students began their half term holiday by getting off to a flying start with English revision. We drove into the centre to be met by stunning views of the Welsh mountains and were welcomed by Nick, who was to be our advisor and counsellor throughout the week-end. All were eager to investigate the dorms, which seemed uninviting but adequate, we soon realised that this was to be an eventful experience.

An expedition to explore the caves was our first quest. Sporting hard helmets we embarked on our adventure. Shamefully, Miss Clack was first to admit defeat, ducking out of a side door to seek relief, desperate for air, space and the luxury of standing at full stretch. Next, Toni was to fall foul of the caves’ crushing effect. More steadfast than the previous victim, she marched [or sidled] on.

As Friday evening crept on an alarming commotion was heard; all became clear as Aaron Woodford rushed from his room clutching a towel, with shrieks of “The shower is flooding!” emanating from his lips. A move reminiscent of the exodus ensued; hordes of clothes, equipment and mattresses spilled forth as the forlorn migrants travelled to their new accommodation. Miss Brown saved the day as she ushered all forth to gain comfort from the tepidly misnamed ‘hot chocolate’.

Challenges were faced with gusto. Many aspired to great heights on Jacob’s ladder and the climbing wall; the archery tournament was won by Sandra Edwards. The group initiative test proved the most amusing. Engaging with students as we supported each other, as if life itself depended on the fulfilment of a task, was both heart warming and hilarious. Without alarm we balanced, leapt, swung and dived from one activity to another; Indiana Jones would have looked on and wept. Our own Mr. Phillips dropped in to see and inspire us. To our amazement he proved more than adept at swinging from a rope, indeed demonstrating suppleness much akin to Tarzan.

Amidst the action, English revision was central to our mission. Being steeped in nature inspired greater depths of observation; original ideas poured forth in writing sessions. The result was a Creative Writing anthology compiled as a lasting testament to Childwall students’ imaginative power.

Perhaps the highlight was the Fashion show; a strategy to unite thoughts of presentation devices on Language paper 2 with the ingenuity to design and present pupils’ own purpose made outfits, [incidentally made entirely from newspaper.] Creations ranged from a chef’s uniform complete with tray of food, the Dior inspired dress modelled by Steven Anderson, Laura Strode sporting a scuba diving rigout to the Schilling hat metamorphosing Aaron Woodford’s image from grunge to ultra chic. All were displayed on the catwalk to the applause of the crowd. Most rapturous was for Mr Woodford’s transformation: the outright winner!

On reflection, all were winners. As confidence noticeably grew during activities and timing and planning issues were mastered in exam sessions, the year 11 students grasped the realisation that achievement was satisfying. Not exclusively to enjoy academic success, although this goal was nearer, but to encompass the range of challenges and opportunities life offers, with the company and support of good friends.

Ms Clack [Oct 09]