Year 7 Residential Trip

Every December we hold a Santa Run for Year 7 to fundraise for their Year 7 residential. This marks the start of discussions and excitement of the Year 7 residential. Any profits made from the run subside the costs of the residential which every Year 7 has the chance to attend in the following June.

 

St Briavels Virtual Tour

 

An Education Secretary once quoted:

"Every young person should experience the world beyond the classroom. It is an essential part of learning and personal development… These experiences can literally change lives”

• Being away from home, trying new things, gaining confidence, making new friends, being more self-reliant, being encouraged to grow, being independent.

• A chance to shine outside of the classroom, away from the traditional curriculum

• Unique opportunity for students to spend time getting to know their peers and staff even better

• A treasured experience, that's talked about and remembered

"Ethan enjoyed his residential. It gave him confidence in himself."

 

"Great trip! Children could feel a bit of independence. Wonderful adventure, I am happy that my son could go there."

 

"Shannon had a wonderful time on the residential, thoroughly enjoyed herself. All the activities that she took part in, she said she had fun with her friends, teachers and staff."

 

"Now, almost 5 days later, and we are still coming out with something that happended whilst being on the residential."

Summary of the week:

	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3
AM	8:00am arrival. Meet in the canteen. Visit to Chepstow Castle.	Ultimate Activity Company activities in House groups.	Pre-breakfast and activities: Pack and clear rooms. Luggage to be moved to holding area ready for departure. Ultimate Activity Company activities in House groups.
Lunch	Packed lunch required from home.	Packed lunch provided by YHA.	Packed lunch provided by YHA.
PM	Visit Tintern Abbey Arrive and settle in to St Briavels Castle – YHA.	Ultimate Activity Company activities in House groups.	Ultimate Activity Company activities in House groups. On return – luggage gets packed on coach ready to leave.
Evening	Dinner, duties and evening activities.	Dinner, duties and evening activities.	5:00pm dinner 6:00pm departure, expected arrival at HBS 7:30pm.

 

An early start on Day 1 with two visits on route to the castle home for the following two nights. First stop, Chepstow Castle where students will get to explore and complete a quiz, before setting off to their next stop they will have lunch. The second stop is Tintern Abbey, where everyone will enjoy an interesting and informative tour. Finally, on to the YHA. St Briavels Castle is over 800 years old (that’s older than some of the teachers!).

A few things to note for arriving on Day 1

• 8:00am to the canteen

• A packed lunch is required, with a bottle of water for the day

• Medication should be clearly labelled with students name and dosage and time instructions clear. These should be passed on to the trip Nurse or Tutor (including paracetamol)

• Asthma inhalers and epipens to stay with the student

Day 2 and day 3 are a mirror of each other and students will either be taking part in a bush craft and orienteering exercises or enjoying a day of canoeing and mountain biking with Ulitmate Activity Company. Ultimate Activity Company have well qualified and very experienced activity leaders. 

Every evening the students all come together for some great evening fun arranged by staff, from Talent shows to outdoor games.

At the end of Day 3, students will have dinner and then return home, arriving back at school around 8:30pm. Any updates on variances to this time will be posted the Henry Box School Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/thehenryboxschool/

 

Living at the castle and being away from home:

Accommodation at the caste is dormitories, all bed linen is supplied. Except for the first packed lunch on Day 1, all meals are supplied by the YHA. Each morning is a hearty breakfast to set students up for the day, lunches are packed lunches as the students are on the go for days 2 and 3 and each evening students will pre-order in the morning their evening meal. A vegetarian option is offered for every meal. Please inform the school of any dietary requirements that your child may have and these will be accommodated whilst away.

Hygiene is very important over these three days, as the students are very active. Students will be encouraged to shower daily, change their clothes and clean their teeth, just as they would at home. Please no spray deodorants as they can be known to set of fire alarms.

 

We suggest bringing old clothes as we have had years with lots of rain and mud and other years of heat and lots of sweating! Clothes should be comfortable and suitable for outdoor activities, please see the kit list. Designer clothes are best left at home, as they may never be the same after this residential!

 

Students are asked not to bring anything of any value; they will be responsible for their own belongings.  No mobile phones please, we want to encourage friendships and engagement in the planned events. Also, staff who have worked at other schools report no end of problems in dormitories with people awake through the night on their phones.  Students will need a good night’s sleep to get the most out of the daily activities.  If students are discovered with mobile phones they will be confiscated and returned at school. Please support us with this.

 

Some students may worry about homesickness, this is totally normal, although we have found that most students are too busy with activities to worry.  Please be assured that hearing nothing from them is a good thing, if there are problems our leaders will contact you. 

 

Daily Facebook updates from the staff will come through; these are usually in the evening after all are settled. Reception is not the most reliable in the area and sometimes staff struggle to upload lots of pictures.

 

Staff with each group carry a school mobile phone in case of emergencies, if you need to contact your child urgently please contact the school and a message will be sent to staff to contact you back.

 

Equipment / Kit:

Please see below.

 

Behaviour and expectations:

• Follow teachers’ instructions at all times

• Arrive at meeting points punctually

• Behave appropriately during meal times

• Wear seat-belts on the coach at all times

• Behave appropriately in the castle grounds and public places

• St Briavels Diary

 

School policy is to monitor student’s behaviour on trips. If it’s unacceptable students may not be allowed on future trips.  Should your child’s behaviour be unsatisfactory or unsafe parents will be contacted, if necessary parents may be asked to come and collect their child. This has happened very rarely but I have to say it, just in case!).

 

Website Links:

Chepstow Castle http://cadw.gov.wales/daysout/chepstow-castle/?lang=en

Tintern Abbey http://cadw.gov.wales/daysout/tinternabbey/?lang=en

Ultimate Activity Company http://www.ultimate-activitycompany.co.uk/

YHA St Briavels http://www.yha.org.uk/hostel/st-briavels