Residential trip to Trewern

The JLT were fortunate to go on a residential trip to Trewern from Tuesday 22nd to Friday 25th April, which really pushed their resilience and developed their BEST habits.

We could not have asked for better weather and after a 6-hour coach journey pupils were very excited to get going with the activities and challenges ahead.

Day 1: As soon as pupils stepped off the coach, we were into tactical team building challenges working out how to keep water in pipes across a 10 metre distance. After a few more team building activities, pupils then prepared for an evening mountain walk. This was over 300 metres high and really tested their resilience to push through fatigue and help support one another through difficult hills. The views were incredible, and pupils were delighted to reach the top.

The main part of Day 2 and 3 were groups split in half, one taking part in caving and the other gorge walking. They then swapped the next day. Pupils had to support one another through the smallest of gaps in the cave and with minimal light. There were letterbox and muddy puddle challenges where pupils had to squeeze through a gap the size of a letterbox and then slid and jumped into a muddy puddle. This tested both their bravery and their Team BA spirit. A special mention to Kiefer who did a great leadership job setting the example by role modelling the activity being completed for pupils who were initially hesitant and then also supported them with clear encouragement and instructions. The gorge walking had breathtaking views where pupils slid down waterfalls, went under waterfalls and took on many more challenges.

On the evenings of day 2 and 3 pupils took part in a series of tricky challenges working as a team to ensure no water was dropped in an obstacle course. They worked out how to get through the spider's webs and whilst blindfolded how to balance a football from one pipe to another.

On day 4 pupils went rock climbing and took part in bushcraft activities.

Throughout the trip pupils were in charge of setting the tables up for breakfast and dinner, washing the dishes and kit room and sweeping their rooms. The pupils were a great representation of Barking Abbey and the incredible Trewern staff really enjoyed working with them.

They left Trewern with not only great memories, but pupils learnt a lot about themselves and their interpersonal skills and pushed themselves to boundaries they did not think they could overcome and have truly learnt the importance of teamwork.