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Brooke V.C. C. of E. Primary School

May 27th 2016

Summer Term; Issue 31

On Top of the Hill

Learning together, achieving together, growing together in God’s love.

Exhilarated!

Exhausted!

Extreme!

T hey went, they saw, they conquered their fears and had a wonderful time

at Hilltop.

Yes, the Year 5 and 6 residential lived up

to all expectations once again. Hilltop just gets better and better each year. The range of activities, the professionalism

and dedication of the team, the standard of accommodation, the treacle tart… oh

yes, the treacle tart!

The Brooke Report

From the moment the coach arrived

until the last bag was dragged reluctantly from the playground it was

an amazing experience. Being in Sheringham, Hilltop is only an hour’s ride away but it felt like another world.

The acres of space, the woodland, the activities and the welcome from Jake,

our team member all set us up for four

days of adventure and challenge.

The activities ranged from the mentally taxing to battling with our self-imposed limitations. How high can


you manage on the Super-Swing? Can

you step out into space on the Power-Fan? Could you just make it to the Blue line on

the climbing wall? Just one more layer of crates and you’ll be able to ring the bell! And really, the outdoor pool isn’t THAT

cold once you get used to it!

Hilltop’s motto is ‘Challenge through

choice’. Nobody is forced to do any activity or go beyond what they are

comfortable with. Well maybe that last part isn’t entirely true! I was not comfortable with stepping off the tower,

but it was a lesson in trust, and if I wasn’t prepared to do it, how could I expect the

others to take that same step of faith?

We all learned new skills and learned new

things about ourselves. We gathered silver birch twigs and branches to make a

fire over which we boiled water for hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows. I didn’t know that silver birch twigs contain

a high level of oil that makes them ideal

for starting a fire.

Hilltop Heroes


The mountain biking was great fun, but a

challenge to all to ride over the bridge, along the log, over the bumps and in and

out of the twisty bits without putting a wheel wrong. We swung over the crocodile-infested pool, scrambled through

tyres, crawled under nets and through pitch-dark tunnels in the assault course.

The map and compass orienteering challenge was made more difficult for some by being the final activity of an

exhausting week.

Then there was the Tree Top Trail. Oh my

goodness, The Tree Top Trail. Okay so it starts at ground level with excellent

instruction about safety and the amazing double-sided clips that will support a bus! (I don’t know why our instructor looked at

me when she said that!) But soon, as you focus on crossing rope bridges (Think

Shrek and Donkey), suspended tyres, skateboards on wires, hanging boat

fenders and wooden tunnels you don’t notice that people below really are below,

considerably below!

High Flyers


Once again the ‘Challenge through

choice’ theme came to the fore. The high route or the lower one? I chose low.

Most did both.

It was so good to be there for long

enough for there to be time to have extended goes on each activity. Much had been made of the 130m Big-Zipper with

all sorts of tales being told about hitting posts at the end and such. But once

again it was a real highlight of the visit. Tarzan calls, Superman poses and high-pitched screams accompanied the children

all the way from top to bottom.

In all my years of taking children on

residential visits I have never had a group who naturally took such a pride in their

rooms before. They were beautifully kept with no screwed-up sweet wrappers,

misplaced socks or lurking underwear. In fact they were so busy during the day that they were all ready for bed in very good

time and slept very well indeed.

Hilltop Heroes


I think that was helped in part by the

cooler weather. I have been to Hilltop many times with different schools and

some of the rooms can get very stuffy in hot weather, but this time it was just right to get a good night’s sleep. A little

warmer may have helped us in the two optional swims that we had. The biting

wind on Tuesdy really did make it more pleasant to keep your shoulders under the water than exposed to the air. But the

trek back across the site afterwards, wrapped in towels or zebra-skin onesies

ended with good, hot showers and a great

meal.

Once again the catering team at Hilltop did a grand job. The food was fresh, filling, nutritious and very, very tasty.

Spicy meatballs, lasagna, roast chicken and baked potatoes all disappeared

hungrily. I know that we have been spoiled here at school by the wonderful

food that Louise, Sue and Lindsey provide us with day by day, but the food this week

was right up there with the best.

High Flyers


But still, and I say this every time I go,

the overriding aspect for me is the professionalism and care of the team.

From the paramount emphasis on safety from the first moment we arrive, right until the end of the last activity, they are

well chosen, well trained, knowledgeable and caring people for whom nothing is too

much trouble. ’An extra swim? I’ll see what I can do.’ ’Not keen on Lasagne? I’ll do a baked potato for you.’ ’A little bit of

washing? Leave it with me and I’ll pop it

in the machine.’

The team there inspires confidence, commands respect and encourages every

child to do their best and be the best they

can be.

Did we have tears? Oh yes.

Did we laugh? Absolutely.

Were there hugs? Loads and loads.

Challenged


Battles were fought, both externally and

internally, some were won, some were draws, and some will be revisited at a

later date.

So thank you for lending us your children.

Mrs Lockhart, Mrs Stronge, Mrs Hill, Mrs Tucker and I are incredibly proud of them all. Hopefully they have all returned in

one piece with barely-believable stories of

the challenges they faced and overcame.

For some it was the first time away from home. May it be the first of many small

but significant steps in their journey of

life.

Through Choice

High Green,

Brooke,

Norwich,

Norfolk.

NR15 1HP

www.brooke.norfolk.sch.uk

Phone: 01508 550419

Fax: 01508 558754

E-mail: [email protected]


Brooke V.C. C. of E. Primary School

Half Term—May 28th—June 5th

Swift Class Assembly—

Wednesday, June 15th, 9:30

Picnic Lunch—Wednesday, June

16th

Owl Class Assembly—

Wednesday, June 22nd, 9:30

Scoot-n-skate—Friday, 24th

June, 3:30—4:30

Robin Class Cake Sale—Friday,

24th June

Jay Class Assembly—

Wednesday, June 29th, 9:30

SPORTS DAY—Wednesday, July

6th

PTFA SUMMER SPECTACULAR

— Friday, July 8th, 18:00

The Peace Child—Monday, July

11th—Wednesday, July 13th

Robin Class Assembly—

Tuesday, July 12th, 9:30

KS1 trip to Thrigby Hall—

Wednesday, July 13th

Leavers’ Service—St. Peters

Church, 10:30, Wednesday, July

20th

School Closes—1pm,

Wednesday, July 20th

Diary Dates

They’re Back!

N o, not the Hilltop team, but the

unwanted, uninvited guests that

from time-to-time trouble us all. Yes

I’m talking about headlice.

I’m sorry to have to mention it once

again, but we have them in school at

the moment. During the half-term

break would you please take time to

check your children’s hair and scalp for

eggs and larvae. Still the best

treatment is thorough washing,

conditioning and then combing with a

special nit comb. It takes time and

effort, but is definitely worth it. Also if

you find any it is a good idea to wash

pillow cases, sheets and hats just in

case there are any eggs hiding there,

just in case.

Thank you.

Brooke V.C. C. of E. Primary School - brooke.norfolk.sch.uk · Brooke V.C. C. of E. Primary School...

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