Year 4 Residential Day 2: Bin Bag Couture

Mr Andrews’ Blog:

Dear readers, when you last left us we were getting ready for the 2024 Bin Bag Fashion Show, and it did not disappoint. You’ll be happy to hear that this season’s range was the most creative yet. We had hairbands, earrings, rings, bridalwear, beachwear, skiwear, and just ‘wear’ – very impressive! We then began our bedtime routine, and the children did brilliantly! When you consider this is the first time many of them have been away from family, they gave us a very straightforward night. A couple of chatting friends across the top bunks of their dorms, but nothing too drastic – there was no repeat of ‘The Great Corridor Party of 2017’, which was a great relief – Disco Snail was hidden for the evening! Everybody had a good amount of sleep, and I would go as far as to say that the vast majority were ‘well-rested’. It has been wet in this part of Kent, but that has not stopped us. The children have been fantastic as ever, and we’ve enjoyed many great moments despite the rain.

The children have taken part in two great sessions today, including Geo-Caching, Team Development and another round of Peddle Karting – yes, Peddle Karting is even better in the mud! The staff here are great, and they have lead the activities with enthusiasm and aplomb. They are on first-name terms with all the children, and it is great seeing how our St Faithians interact with them. Once again, your children are great ambassadors, with all the staff at Carroty commenting on how much they love our visits – not because of our excellent organisation (well done, Mrs Ross and Mrs Bourne) – but because the children are so polite. More of this, please, children!

Lunchtime saw the arrival of a guest visitor; Mrs Coombs! She arrived to much fan-fare and turned up just as Mrs Cavanagh began her Big Quiz of the year! Our Headteacher worked her way around the groups, helping them with some of the trickier questions. Only one group managed to name Engine Number 2 in the Thomas the Tank Engine series – I knew it, do you? Disco Snail appeared after lunch – just as the Carroty Golden Balls came out. Unfortunately, it was a bad day for the staff with many of the children walking away with a Golden Ball – I am not looking forward to next week’s Celebration Assembly! Mrs Ross has a lot to answer for!

The afternoon sessions were fun – there is nothing like a little driving rain and muddy puddles to bring a group together! Mrs Coombs led the way and remarked how lucky we are not to have the current weather that Ash is experiencing. It seems we have it a little better than you today! The children have been good with one another, which makes spending so much time with them a sheer pleasure. They are busy practising their song for their Class Assembly, and I have high hopes for this! The chef is currently cooking our dinner, and the waft of home-cooked food is almost too much to bear. We have swimming this evening, which is another highlight of the trip. With an entire team of 4 St Faith’s Staff and 1 Carroty Lifeguard, we will be very well-resourced to enjoy the occasion. In previous years, I have swum; I use this term gingerly as the Carroty Swimming Session is typically the Carroty Lifeguard’s chance to attempt to take out the teacher accompanying them. In the past, I’ve been subjected to a firing squad of inflatable balls, and unfortunately I see the same end coming my way later. Hey ho! We have begun to help the children pack their bags for home; I’m sure the WhatsApp will be flooded on Friday with ‘Has anyone seen Jeff’s left sock?’ Our apologies in advance for this. Maybe this year, we will break this cycle! Fingers crossed!

The children have loved the responsibility of sharing a dorm with their friends and have revelled in any ‘free time’ in our house! They do get on well, and their camaraderie with each other is lovely to see!