St. Francis of Assisi – School Blog

On Monday 30th October,  everyone had left for the exhilarating and thrilling school trip apart from eight children (all from 6W), who were taught for most of the five days by Mr Evans.  On Wednesday 1st October, we helped a group of women sew dresses for the girls living in Malawi. Inside 6HW classroom, the eight of us were split into partners and then chose an adult to accompany and assist for the rest of the morning.  My partner Mia and I chose to help Mrs Beaugeard and after a few minutes our sewing job commenced.

Throughout our fifty minutes, my partner and I found out that we were sewing a dress for a girl aged 10-12 in Malawi, Africa. During this time,I learnt that you use two pieces of thread to sew, I learnt to use the modern sewing machine,  I discovered that you could sew manually or automatically using the sewing machines.   I learnt that there was something called a bobbin under the machine and many other intriguing  and fascinating things. Despite the fact that it was my first time using a sewing machine, I thoroughly enjoyed it no matter how difficult it was and it was definitely an experience to remember!

At school in the morning – in our P.E. kits – we went down to the hall.  Mrs Beagan asked us to put out our activity.  Mine was doing sausage rolls (that is when you lay on your stomach with your arms and  legs up in the air and then you roll on the mat till the end) while the Y1 children  started piling into the hall.

The first group came.   I stood up and talked to them about what they were going to do.   I was with my friend.  She was doing a teddy bear rolls (that is when you split your legs apart then you put your arms apart and roll on to your writing hand on to that shoulder). She helped them as well.

While the children were doing the exercise, I was doing some jumping jacks /star jumps or jogging on the spot and stretching.  After it was all finished we went to their classroom  and they got changed.   Afterwards we went out with them for break.

After break, another class came for another hour.   I learnt to talk to them in an encouraging way.  I would say “Well done!” or ” Did you have fun?” also I would say “You did very well just then.”   I asked them if they enjoyed it and they said “Yes”.

The class just finished going round. That is what we did in the morning 1 week ago on Friday when most of the class were at the Lake District.

On Tuesday the thirty first of November, the second day of my time at an amazing place called the Lake District, I tried something so surreal most people wouldn’t believe it this surreal thing which you shall be hearing about – ‘Gorge Scrambling ‘!

After walking out of a really crowded minibus, I stared out into the distance while taking deep breaths, for up ahead I could make out the waterfall which I was meant to be climbing that day. Even though that day was super cold, I was still really psyched up as it isn’t everyday you get to climb a waterfall. The person who was leading this activity was an instructor: Jon.

Because we needed to be prepared, to do Gorge Scrambling, our instructor – Jon – took us to a nearby rock where he taught us a Roman handshake (grabbing someone’s wrist and letting them pull on you so you can get up the rock).  He also taught us how to make sure someone doesn’t fall off the ledge or whatever theey’re sitting on by holding onto their belt tightly.  Lastly, he asked us to do a firm test so that we do could see how firm someone was in case someone fell off a mountain and needed to be caught or if someone needed a push up.

After he thought that we had mastered all three techniques, Jon led us to a field which was in the same half as the waterfall over here we were given special equipment: a fleece, Woolly trousers, a waterproof coat and wellingtons. If we finished putting on this equipment quickly enough, we got to eat half of our lunch: a sandwich and a packet of crisps.

When we’d finished our lunch, my group, (Sam, Bel, Jessica, Olivia, Alex D, Wesley, Rhys, Cameron, Mrs Hinings, Rauri) and I did an activity where we were meant to keep our hands steady by putting stones on our hands and walking in and out of ditches. Most people found this activity hard but I found it exceptionally easy and managed to keep both rocks on my hands. Whilst I’m still on the topic of ditches and water we also did numerous safety procedures e.g. what would you do if someone fell in the water and even acted it out.

Eventually, Jon thought we were ready and let us start off. However when we started I wasn’t exactly sure if I wanted to do it as when we were on the rock the boys weren’t very good at supporting us girls which was actually very worrying. Although my nerves started to ease because the boys were much more helpful  and I felt safer.

Carefully, we progressed up the gorge but once I put my foot on a mossy bit, which is very slippery, and this made me slip but not fall. One thing that made a member of my group worried was that we saw other groups using harnesses but our instructor hadn’t packed any. Soon though we discovered that we didn’t need any and that we were an amazing team if we worked together. Also our instructor kept on stopping us along the way to rate ourselves out of ten to help us improve our teamwork. One funny thing was that Rauri nearly fell of the ledge so we marked a stone as Rauri’s stone and said we’d bring it to his funeral when he died.

Soon we were really high up and I was ecstatic because this walk had brought me a load of memories and also I’d proved myself wrong as I’d been dreading it. Although it wasn’t the end of the day and we saw that Jon was taking us into a cave which had a waterfall above it making it like a natural shower. When we went inside we found it so cold but we soon got used to it and found it quite fun.

The last thing we did was walk down the hill and we could see that we had got furthest up the waterfall and we were only a few metres away from the top. However, we couldn’t go to the top as it was already afternoon and we’d be late for dinner. The hill which we were walking down was very slippery but soon we reached the bottom and we were able to eat the rest of our lunch and set off back for dinner.

That day was amazing if you want to hear more about my amazing week it will be coming soon so remember keep looking for the next instalment!

On Monday 30th to Friday 3rd, 6W and 6HW went on a residential trip to the Lake District.

After settling in and getting used the rules, it was time for our first full day on our one week long trip!

For our first activity on our first full day, we did a “Gorge Scramble”.  A gorge is a waterfall with obstacles-slippery rocks -in your way.Although I was nervous,I decided to put my nerves aside.

As a result of going on a wetm daring activity, we needed to put on some waterproofs and  wellies. Minutes later, after getting ready , it was time to set off to the gorge!

A few minutes later, after going through safety instructions, having lunch and putting on safety equipment, we were ready the gorge.  Within the next fifteen minutes, we were a quarter of the way through. My heart was beating so raucously that Antarctica could hear it.  Gradually,my heart quietened down because everybody was supportive and all helped each other which made me more confident in myself.

Time raced by like a fly.  We were already at the  halfway point.  Despite being halfway, it was the most challenging bit yet… the steep slippery rocky surface. My heart was tightening but everyone encouraged me and I climbed the surface.  I was so proud of myself because I never imagined myself climbing a slippery surface.

When we were near the top,we all agreed if we would have the chance to slide a fraction of flowing water.  It was so fun!  Sliding down was an honour, but it was time to get down and return to the Outward Bound Centre!

Coming down the steep slope was challenging because of the squelching  mud.  Luckily, near the bottom, there was grass to cover the mud. Finally, we heading back.

The “Gorge Scramble” was enjoyable and challenging.  Although it stretched my comfort zones, I was happy that I gave it my all!

Last Tuesday, my group (the Scotts) put on their waterproofs, wellies and packed their bags getting ready to climb a Gorge-waterfall. Despite the fact that I was cold, I really didn’t mind because I was really excited to climb the gorge.  The minibus dropped us off along with our instructors – Rich , Alex and Andy.  Relieved that we had got there, we stopped and had a snack – a packet of crisps and some clovers which turned out to be edible. Once we had finished eating, we put on our harnesses- and safety helmets.

Determined to get to the top, we started climbing, but the only problem was that we didn’t help each other, so Rich brought us down and taught us how to spot (which is when you support someone from the back).  He also taught us how to use the ‘Roman Handshake’, which is when two people hold each other’s wrists, just in-case one loses grip and then the other is still holding on.

Focused on the task ahead, we started helping each other to get up the gorge.  When we got a steep part, the instructors helped us up. We started helping everybody with ‘Roman Handshakes’ and ‘Spotting’. We even got to a part of the gorge where we had to put our heads under some water. We climbed and climbed and climbed until we got to a bit when the water became deep. We obviously had to get water in our wellies.

Next, we climbed until we got a steep bit of the waterfall, two of the instructors climbed up and threw down a rope so that when we climbed up we wouldn’t fall and hurt ourselves. My partner (Eva) and I went up last but it was fun very fun.

After a while, we reached a part where the water was moving much quicker than usual. We had to goo around it, and there was a cave!!! It was beautiful. To me it looked like a bunch of luminous crystals lighting up the cave. It took us half of the day. It was the best day ever!!!

Richard dropped us (Team Haston) at the huge field.  We first took a picture from the start.  We began to walk in the squelchy mud.

A few minutes later, we stopped at a tree and James showed us how to strap on our belts on the bag.

We walked again to hill.   James said to look back and and we all saw the beautiful view.  Then  we all sat on a rock and had a quick drink.   James said to either pick a brownie or crisps to eat.  We then went back to walking.

I accidentally stepped in mud which made my boot sink into it, which then got stuck.  I just got out in time.

Team Haston walked up the hill and it was tiring.  James said that there were little trenches with stones piled on top of each other.  I then got on and we reached the top!  Hurray – we made it!