Conway Centre 27th Feb - 1st March 2023

Day 1: 

The afternoon art session was based on designing and constructing bird masks inspired by the colours and species of rainforest. The children did a wonderful job creating their own beaked designs and decorating with a range of different techniques using crepe paper.

Following the art workshop, the team gathered in the common room for a couple of games of  ‘20 questions’ which the children enjoyed before coming together for a delicious evening meal. Pupils selected from fish and chips, chicken pie or vegetarian pasta with garlic bread. All of the children ate well, with the chocolate doughnut being a particularly popular option for dessert! Pupils ordered their cooked breakfasts for the morning; there was much excitement at the prospect of a full English!

After dinner, the children accepted the nightline challenge and worked really well in their pairs and teams to navigate the different obstacles – all whilst being blindfolded of course! Class 3 returned to the common room for a drink and movie before bedtime.

Day 2:

Pupils enjoyed their greatly-anticipated breakfast and headed straight to the dance studio for a fun and lively dance workshop! They enjoyed a range of different warm up games and exericses before exploring the rainforest theme through movement and choreography.

Following the dance session, pupils enjoyed a hot lunch and then headed back to the art studio for their second visual arts workshop of the visit. During this session, children learned how to make a batik. They firstly sketched out their designs on card before covering their composition with cloth. Using a special tool called a tjanting, the children traced over their designs with hot wax, which was absorbed by the fabric creating a seal. Once the wax  had been applied, the chidlren added bright, vibrant inks to their designs. The wax served as a barrier to stop the inks from spreading. After the session, our workshop leader removed the wax by melting it with an iron, leaving behind pupils' exquisite batik cloths, ready to be displayed back at school!

After the session, pupils enjoyed another hot meal and some downtime in the common room, before heading outdoors together for a camp fire. Children then got ready for bed and everyone was fast asleep - including teachers - by around 10:30pm!

Day 3:

Pupils' final activity workshop of the visit was a music session. They enjoyed the opportuity to do some singing and to play a range of different instruments. Once the session had ended, pupils enjoyed their final meal together before heading back to Chelford to see their families. 

A splendid time was enjoyed by all and staff were ever so proud of all that the chidlren achieved over the course of the residential. Many overcame fears of being away from home and friendships and relationships within the group have certainly been enhanced by the visit. 

Mr Brady and School Governors would like to express their immense gratitude to our wonderful staff for leading the residential: Mrs Badger, Mrs Downer and Mr Norman and to Laura Levinsohn for her assistance, support and encouragement.