Intrepid adventurers from Smithdon High School tested their mettle when they spent three days at Caythorpe PGL Centre.

The Year 7 students took part in a series of challenging activities which included high ropes, a giant swing, raft building, laser tag, Jacob’s Ladder, Survivor, Disc Golf, and trapeze.

They slept in tents to enhance the outdoor experience, and also enjoyed a silent disco, as well as spending time relaxing around the camp fire.

“Students worked with amazing instructors whilst on the trip that encouraged and helped students with their confidence,” said Alysha Moat, who is Assistant Head of Years 7 and 8, and accompanied the group, along with Maths Teacher Sam Plant, Year 7 and 8 Pastoral Manager Sally Collins, Year 7 Tutor and Science Teacher Vanessa Bartosova, and Year 7 Tutor and Drama Teacher Kayleigh Brown.

“Staff all took part as well, showing students we are also human and have our fears of things, such as heights and water,” she continued.

“Both staff and students had an amazing time. We were all challenged and learnt a lot about ourselves and each other. It has definitely made the students that went much closer and tighter as a year group.”

The trip has become a regular fixture in the calendar at Smithdon, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust.

“Trips like this are very important,” added Ms Moat. “They help students communicate, learn how to work as a team, build resilience, perseverance, problem solving, work under pressure, learn how to deal with emotions, and push outside their comfort zone.

“We try to develop and embed the ‘Smithdon Seven’ when on the trip – ‘Pride’, ‘Community’, ‘Respect’, ‘Prepared’, ‘Self-Belief’, ‘Ambition’, and ‘Responsibility’.”