Kielder Water Residential Adventure
Thirty-six students and four members of staff enjoyed an unforgettable weekend away at Kielder Water this past weekend.
Despite a slightly delayed departure on Friday, spirits remained high as we made our way north, stopping at Tebay Services for what some students described as a “posh lunch” (although for many, Starbucks was about as extravagant as the budget would stretch)!
After arriving and settling into our accommodation, everyone unpacked, made their beds and helped organise our Tesco delivery in preparation for the evening’s pasta night. Unfortunately, we received the disappointing news that our planned visit to the observatory could not go ahead. However, Mrs Honeyman stepped in to save the evening with her very own guided tour of the night sky. We were fortunate to enjoy some clear skies around 8:30pm, allowing us to spot many familiar constellations and appreciate the beauty of Kielder’s famous dark skies.
The evening continued with a wonderful campfire, complete with toasted marshmallows, birthday cake and plenty of laughter. Students also enjoyed a ghost story or two. Be sure to ask them: Who is Daniel?
After a late night, we were up bright and early on Saturday and headed to Calvert Kielder for a day packed with adventure activities. Students tested their aim in archery, challenged themselves on the king swing and took to the water for canoeing. The weather may have been wet at times but it certainly didn’t dampen anyone’s enthusiasm. Many even managed to squeeze in an ice cream during lunch!
Following a busy day of activities, we returned to our accommodation tired but happy. The evening featured a well-earned pizza takeaway, games of pool, another campfire and a second ghost story that was a little less frightening than the first! We were also treated to spectacular views of the night sky. With improved photography skills and clearer conditions, students were able to capture some amazing photographs. Many experienced the incredible sight of the Milky Way with their own eyes and watched several shooting stars streak across the sky, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Sunday morning brought a few tired faces as we packed up and began the journey home. Along the way, we were lucky enough to spot the Red Arrows heading towards the Great North Run celebrations. To round off a fantastic weekend, we enjoyed a well-deserved McDonald’s before arriving home with lots of stories, photographs and memories to share.
A huge thank you to all the students for their enthusiasm, resilience and excellent behaviour throughout the trip. It was a fantastic weekend, and we hope the memories of Kielder’s adventures, campfires, dark skies and shooting stars will stay with them for years to come.
Mrs Honeyman
Assistant Headteacher
