The Isle of Fright

by Mia Parry

On the 25th of September, year 9 ventured out to the Isle of Wight to embark on a challenging and entertaining adventure to practise our teamwork skills with our tutor group. We boarded the ferry and after a quick half an hour trip we had arrived on the island to be transported to Kingswood activity centre by coach.

The friendly staff greeted us and we split into groups with our tutors and the deputy head of houses taking turns to lead us. Everyone participated in a number of different activities ranging from a giant swing to an obstacle course both proving to be great fun. My first activity was the obstacle course where my tutor group had to race against each other in activities such as the monkey bars. Despite the fact that some individuals got very dirty, we enjoyed it nonetheless.

The night trail was next and everyone wore blindfolds and we had to participate in an obstacle course. A pupil was elected to lead us and we held onto the person in front to avoid tripping over which was eventually proved to be inevitable. The obstacles included army crawling under tarpaulin sheets and numerous steps which caught many of us out. I think that we can all agree that this task taught us trust skills and not to wear out favorite jeans on an outward bound trip! After lunch and a quick break I had problem solving.

One of the activities was transporting a “bomb” into a box with two pieces of rope. This session taught us leadership and patience skills. Next was the daunting balance beam where we took turns to climb up a pole and walk across to the other side with the support of out cheering tutor group ways down below and the occasional “don't look down!” Which was not very helpful! This was my favorite activity because it proved to be testing and a challenge. After our fourth activity it was time to head back to school after what everyone agreed to be a great day full of fun, bonding, teamwork and trust.