On Sunday 13^th June, the Year 8 leavers’ had an early start.  Scott Dunn (a luxury holiday company) very kindly lent us a van to solve the logistics of getting all of the luggage and food to Cornwall for the trip.  Soon the van was filled to the top and 29 children, Miss Evans, Mr Gibb, Mr Dullforce and Mr Maguire boarded the mini buses and set off to the Highway Farm Activity centre, Redruth, Cornwall.  Despite the long journey and arriving in the rain, the Year 8’s were in great spirits.  After unloading the bags and being shown their tents, they got their first challenge.  Due to the rain, each tent had to come up with a tent song.  Harry McWhirter and Pete Rapp stole the show with their song about ‘Gregory’( their tent).

As soon as the rain and mist had cleared we headed off to the local beach for some fun and beach games.  That night, strong winds and rain (maybe also a bit of chatting) meant that the children did not get much sleep!

On Monday we had another early start.  After breakfast the group walked from Highway Farm on a trek around Carn Brea, which overlooks both Camborne and Redruth and reaches up to 738 feet above sea level. The Carn can be seen from most high ground in Cornwall and the monument on top is easily picked out.

Conversely the view from the top of the Carn takes in both coasts and a good deal of the Camborne/Redruth conurbation.  Unfortunately the mist prevented us from being able to take full advantage of these views.  The group was split into two and, lead by the Centre’s great activity leaders, Martin, Jane, Barbara and Ken, we set off on the trek.  On the way the leaders pointed out some edible plants for the group to try, such as wild garlic and sorrel – not necessarily to all the children’s liking.  The groups also had a go at squeezing under and around different rocks which, legend has it, have associations with the legendary giants of Cornwall.  It is said to be the home of the giant Bolster who, when standing, could put his other foot on top of St Agnes Beacon over 10 miles away! 

The groups also visited disued mines and enjoyed dropping stones down one of the old mine shafts, lying on a metal grid over the top and listening for the splash as the stones hit the water many feet below.  After completing the 9 mile trek, the groups rejoined at Highway farm, before heading back down to the beach for more games and fun in the sand.  Mr Gibb and Mr Maguire had their fun, (aided by some troublesome Year 8 boys) who threw Miss Evans into the sea.  They then enjoyed laughing at her whilst she had to walk around in Mr Dullforces shorts, which were one or two sizes too big for her.

The groups returned to the Centre to enjoyed participating in different activities, such as learning to light fires and cooking bread and popcorn on fires.  After all of this, everyone headed to bed for a much needed good night’s sleep.

On Tuesday we drove to Tehidy Woods in a beautiful country park.  Everyone was divided into groups of threes or fours before setting off on an orienteering course around the woods.  After a lunch in the sunshine and enjoying another rendition of the tent songs we set off into the woods again.  This time the two groups enjoyed den and bridge building.  Whist some of the teams den’s would not have stood up to the elements for more than a few minutes, others were very creative indeed, offering a whole host of luxury facilities!  The bridge building proved to be a messier and wetter affair, seeing many of the leaver’s up to their thighs in mud.  In particular Eleanor Hall, Harry Yates, Phoebe Landers and Rory Lewis all got thoroughly ‘stuck in’!

After another great day (and showers for those muddy people) the final evening was enjoyed in another beautifully sunny trip to the beach.  After some more games everyone sat down on the sand, taking in the spectacular surroundings to enjoy some Cornish fish and chips.

Once back at the centre everyone took part in the ‘How well do you know your peers?’ Quiz.  This involved identifying a baby photo of each of the pupils on the trip which was very entertaining, followed by a quiz reminiscing on memories of the funniest and most embarrassing moments during their time at Amesbury.  It was a great end to another fantastic day.

On Wednesday morning everyone packed their bags and cleared out their tents.  The staff awarded various awards and prizes for the many highlights of the trip.  After saying our thanks and farewells to the Highway Farm staff we set of for the long journey back to Amesbury, before all enjoying a lovely night’s sleep, back in our own beds!

Throughout the trip the Year 8’s were fantastic sports, getting into the spirit of the trip and putting up with Mr Gibb’s endless pranks.  Each and every one of them was a credit to Amesbury and great company to be with.