Residential
Charterhouse 2024
Friday 8th November 2024
There were definitely some tired faces this morning. However, the children were amazing packing up their rooms and we were able to get out on activity in plenty of time.
Breakfast this morning was pastries, toast and yoghurt. All groups then headed out on to the reserve for our last activity of the week orienteering. After a fun few hours, we headed back to the centre for a lunch of fish fingers, chips and peas. We then loaded up the coach with our luggage and said a sad farewell to Charterhouse for this year.
The group of children we had the pleasure of taking away with us were fantastic. Everyone gave every activity a go and pushed themselves out of their comfort zone. It was lovely to see our school values shining through. We all truly had the best time and were really sad that our fun filled week had come to an end. I couldn't be any prouder.
Until next time...
Thursday 7th November 2024
Breakfast this morning was bacon, hash browns, baked beans and toast. Great to set us up for the day of activities ahead. This morning Mr Godfrey's group had archery and low ropes. Mrs Mort's group headed out for climbing and Mrs Birch and Mrs Goodchild's group had pond dipping and rocket making.
Back to the centre for a lunch of jumbo sausage rolls, wedges and salad. In the afternoon Mr Godfrey's and Mrs Mort's group came together for bush craft (so the photos may have both groups in) and Mrs Birch and Mrs Goodchild's group headed out to our favourite activity, gorge walking. Check out the photos to see how involved they both got!!!
Back to the centre to warm up and white choc chip cookies for a snack. Dinner was chicken pie, hassleback potatoes and veg. Dessert was vanilla sponge and custard.
Our evening activity was a campfire with marshmallows, reflecting on the week and the memories that we had made. Then we headed back inside for a fun quiz. A late night for all, but we were all having so much fun to go to bed.
Group A (Mrs Mort's Group)
Group B (Mr Godfrey's Group)
Group C (Mrs Birch & Mrs Goodchild's Group)
Camp Fire
Wednesday 6th November 2024
Everyone (including the adults!) got a great night's sleep last night, so we were all up and ready to see what adventures the day would bring. Breakfast today was just toast and cereal (I did wonder how I'd make it to lunchtime without a fry up!) but there was plenty to go round and keep us fuelled.
This morning Mrs Mort's group headed out of the centre to go gorge walking. Mr Godfrey's group headed to the caves and Mrs Birch & Mrs Goodchild's group had bushcraft, where they made shelters that had to be waterproof and windproof and also learnt how to make fire!
Back to the centre for a lunch of jacket potatoes and salad before heading back out for the afternoon. Mr Godfrey's group went gorge walking, Mrs Mort's group did pond dipping (no child fell in this time) and rocket building. Mrs Birch & Mrs Goodchild's group headed out to go rock climbing.
Dinner was sausages, mash and veg followed by waffles and ice cream. We are ending the evening with a disco (if Mr G can get the technology working). Another fun filled day where again, the children have put themselves outside of their comfort zone, but they all have given it 110%. They are a super bunch of children to bring away and we are enjoying their company. The week is flying by and we are all sad that tomorrow is our last full day.
Group A ( Mrs Mort's Group)
Group B (Mr Godfrey's Group)
Group C (Mrs Birch & Mrs Goodchild's group)
Tuesday 5th November 2024
Another day in the misty Charterhouse - but we haven't let the weather dampen our spirits or fun. The morning started with a hearty breakfast - sausages, hash browns, baked beans and toast. It was super yummy and set us up for the day's activities.
This morning, Mrs Mort's group headed to the caves. Mr Godfrey's group went climbing and Mrs Birch & Mrs Goodchild's group tried their hand at archery and low ropes. We headed back to the centre for lunch, which consisted of southern fried chicken, curly fries and salad.
This afternoon, Mr Godfrey's group headed to the pond for pond dipping - a child may have taken a dip, but everyone saw the funny side and nobody was hurt! They also designed and launched rockets. It was Mrs Mort's group's turn to try archery and low ropes and Mrs Birch and Mrs Goodchild's group headed to the caves.
Dinner this evening was lasagne and garlic bread, followed by profiteroles. The diet is definitely going to start on Monday!!!
We finished the evening with a cosy and chilled out movie night in front of the fire. There are some tired eyes here today, so hopefully they will all have a good night's sleep.
A great day has been had by all and we are so proud of all the children. Not only have they over come some fears today, but their behaviours and manners have been commented on by the centre staff.
Group A (Mrs Mort's Group)
Group B (Mr Godfrey’s Group)
Group C (Mrs Birch & Mrs Goodchild's Group)
Monday 4th November 2024.
Today we left Cheddon and headed for our home for the week, Charterhouse. It seems most of us had packed for all weathers and all occasions - I am sure I saw a kitchen sink somewhere!
We arrived, unpacked and settled in to our rooms. We had a tour of the centre and ate our packed lunches.
This afternoon we completed team building games, which included the raging river, extreme connect 4, spider web and others. It is important to start with team building to build trust and communication for the activities we have planned for the rest of the week. Hopefullly, from the photos below, you can see what fun we all had.
We then headed back to the centre for a roast chicken dinner (including Yorkshire puds!) and chocolate cake for pudding. This was a much needed refuelling, ready for our night hike, on the reserve - in the dark! Then it was back for hot chocolate before bed. I wonder what time the adults will be able to get some sleep tonight!!!
Group A (Mrs Mort's Group)
Group B (Mr Godfrey's Group)
Group C (Mrs Birch & Mrs Goodchild's group)
Night hike
Charterhouse 2023
Thursday 29th June
An early start to the morning thanks to some of the boys being up and dressed at 4:45am!! Breakfast was pancakes, fruit, yoghurt, toast and cereal - enough to keep us going as we headed out on our morning activities.
Mrs Goodchild's group went caving, Mrs Mort's group did water sports and Mrs Birch and Mr Godfrey's group went gorge walking.
Lunch was southern fried chicken, curly fries and salad which everyone enjoyed.
In the afternoon, Mrs Goodchild's group headed for water sports, Mrs Mort's group went gorge walking and Mr Godfrey and Mrs Birch's team headed down the caves.
Our evening meal was pasta bolognaise an d garlic bread, followed by waffles and ice cream.
In the evening we headed out to the reserve to play some games.
It was a bit of a late night for all the children as there were some jokes and pranks being played.
Water Sports (Mrs G's group)
Water Sports (Mrs M's group)
Caving (Mrs G's group)
Caving (Mrs B & Mr G's group)
Gorge Walking (Mrs M's group)
Gorge Walking (Mrs B & Mr G's group)
Wednesday 28th June
We have arrived. The weather was a bit mixed and we have had some rain, which we weren't expecting. As soon as we arrived, Josh met us and gave us a tour of the centre. We had some lunch and unpacked and headed out to start our adventures. Mrs Goodchild's group headed to the gorge to climb up through the waterfalls. Mr Godfrey & Mrs Birch's group head to Cheddar Reservoir for paddle boarding and motor boat driving and Mrs Mort's group headed to the caves.
We had fish, chips and peas for tea, followed by profiteroles. The evening entertainment was disco where some shapes were certainly thrown!
I am going to up load all the photos we have taken, so apologies if some are blurry/repeated, but I thought you would all like to see how much fun we are having! We would love to hear your thoughts.
Gorge Walking
Caving
Water Sports
Evening Time
Charterhouse 2022
Thursday 30th June
Our last full day in Charterhouse. I can't quite believe how quickly the week has gone and we will be heading home tomorrow.
We've had another fun filled day with each group completing some exciting activities. Group 1 started the day trying to transport an egg safely in an exploding rocket. They then completed the fantasy trail - an obstacle course in the woods - blindfolded! In the afternoon they headed out Cheddar Reservoir for their turn at paddle boarding and power boating.
Group 2 started the morning at the Reservoir and in the afternoon went waterfall climbing through the gorge.
Group 3 went climbing this morning in the sunshine. In the afternoon they did the rocket challenge and the fantasy trail where they got VERY muddy. I apologise now for the washing that will be coming home tomorrow!
We finished the evening with a few games of bingo and toasting marshmallows on the log burner in the dining room.
A huge thank you to Mr Godfrey, Mrs Mort and Mrs Birch who have given up time with their own families to provide this experience for the children. Without the goodwill of the staff, this residential would not be able to happen.
I can honestly say it has been a brilliant week. The children have challenged themselves to do something out of their comfort zone. There have been some tears, some worries and some fears faced. But most importantly, there has been lots and lots of laughter.
Until next year....
Wednesday 29th June
Today our activities were:
Group 1: Climbing & Gorge Walking
Group 2: Caving & Archery/Low Ropes
Group 3: Water Sports & Caving.
I thought today, you have probably heard enough from me. So here are some highlights from the children instead.
'Dance until you drop when you're at a Cheddon Fitzpaine Church School disco!' - Lottie
'I like waking up to my friends in my room with me and building relationships with others.' - Harrison
'I like Charterhouse because I did archery, low ropes, caving, gorge walking. I'm having a great time.' - Oliver
'It is amazing waking up every day knowing that it is time for a new adventure to begin.' - Ellie
'It is great getting up every morning looking forward to challenges I've never experienced before.' - Freddie
'I have done things here I would never have done anywhere else. I have been challenged and accomplished so much. Also, I have learned my teachers are brilliant dancers.' - Layla
'I've had fun learning and I love waking up and feeling like there's always a challenge to overcome!' - Jack D
'I enjoyed the climbing as I made it to the top three times.' - Tyler
'I have made a bunch of great memories and new friends from Class 4. #MrsBirch' - Milly
'My favourite memory so far is when I went on a giant paddle board. We worked as a team to get to the buoy. I was the first to jump into the water.' - Emily
'It is great waking up every morning excited for a new challenge' - Jacob
Tuesday 28th June
Day two in the big brother.... I mean Charterhouse and what a day it has been. We have celebrated a birthday here (please check out the home made birthday banner and hat in the photos below) and breakfast was served to a number of birthday songs for the special birthday girl.
After breakfast (sausages, hash browns, toast and beans), all three teams stayed on site to take part in some team building exercises. We had to cross the river without leaving a stone without being touched, use drainpipes to transport a tennis ball from the bottom of the bomb pit to the top, get through a spiders web without touching it, sheep herding (blindfolded children), human battleships and move tyres using only three posts, but not allowing the smaller ones to be under a larger tyre. Although the rain held off, it was extremely windy and cold, so after three challenges we headed back into the centre to have a hot chocolate to warm up.
Once warm again we headed back outside for our next set of challenges. We then all had fun playing with the parachute - although at one point Mr Godfrey did nearly take off!
After Lunch, Group 1 (Mr Godfrey's group) headed off to the caves, Group 2 (Mrs Mort's group) headed to the fantasy trail and rocket building and Group 3 (Mrs Goodchild & Mrs Birch's group) set off on a gorge walk. All three brought a different set of challenges and the children rose to the challenge, set their fears aside and gave everything a good go.
Our evening entertainment tonight was a disco, which everyone enjoyed - it's been a while since we all had a dance together.
Some very tired children tonight, who I am sure will sleep well ready for another day tomorrow.
Monday 27th June
Today, 33 children and 4 adults set off on our residential for the week. There were lots of excited children and some nervous faces as we left school and waved goodbye to the parents.
When we arrived, we quickly got settled into our rooms. The first challenge of the day was watching the children attempting to put a fitted sheet on to bunk bed mattresses! Once completed we headed to the dining hall to eat our packed lunch and find out what activities we were doing this afternoon.
My group and Mr Godfrey's group stayed at the centre to tackle archery and the low ropes - there were lots of giggles all round. Mrs Mort's group headed out on to the reserve to have a go at climbing.
We returned the the centre to be met with freshly baked chocolate cake. We got showered, and had some free time out in the field before dinner. Dinner consisted of sausages, mash, veg and Yorkshire pudding followed by apple crumble and cream. Just what was needed for our night hike. We learnt very quickly that we maybe should not have had the extra pudding as the climb to the top of the hill was certainly a challenge.
We all returned happy and ready for bed. The children have settled very quickly - they will need a good night's sleep for the adventures we have in store tomorrow!
