H artington H all
During Enrichment Week,
Year 8 travelled to the
Peak District at the southern
end of the Pennines.
driving rains and the mist, we were fascinated by
Ecton mines. its history. We even made gunpowder and saw the
beginning of the formation of stalactites from
Climbing and abseiling off the 505m tall Staffordshire exhausted but excited for the activity-packed week Roaches, a place favoured by professional climbers, ahead. We were immediately thrown into the thick of formed one part of a day. This experience was made Between these two days, the groups planned and
it, with teambuilding tasks such as forming a human even more exhilarating by the fact that the wind was completed walks ranging from eight to 13.5 kilometres.
pyramid with ten people and navigating a suspended buffeting us back and forth as we waited on the top, Despite the abysmal weather, nearly everyone enjoyed
ball through an obstacle course without dropping it. added to which the constant drizzle made the rocks the outward-bound experience, and were spurred on by
slippery. Water sports followed: the kayaking involved encounters with angry cows and even sheep.
Throughout the week, we were incredibly busy and
learnt some survival skills – the basics of how to
our priorities would be on a desert island. Despite
the initial general outcry at the rules stipulating
that mobile phones and other such devices were
not allowed, no one noticed that they weren’t there
as the schedule kept everybody fully occupied. This
TRI PS AND A C
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100,000 tonnes of mainly copper ore. Despite the
and alternated days out at Staffordshire Roaches and After a lengthy coach journey, we arrived somewhat
react if someone is in need of first aid, and what
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On the second day, the year group was split in half
many games and races; we even had to stand up and
try to turn around in our kayak while it was rocking
violently in the choppy water. Then we had to build
a raft for five people using just rope, barrels and
planks of wood. This proved to be very eventful and
there were lots of soaked trainers and clothes at the
end of it.
calcium deposits.
The most memorable highlight for us was probably
sinking our teeth into s’mores rescued from a roaring
and very smoky fire, while the rain poured down in the
misty forest. Around this fire, some skits were enacted,
which were met with much laughter. Then afterwards,
the challenge was to run through the rain as quickly as
possible to our soggy tents.
also encouraged more traditional and social forms of There was ample opportunity to delve into the
entertainment during the evenings and coach trips, depths of the Ecton mines, which had been a thriving
such as playing cards and endless games of Uno. enterprise in the 18th century and produced over
Overall, going to the Peak District was a rewarding
experience and will be good practice for our Duke of
Edinburgh’s Award!
SEVENOAKS SC
CH
HOOL 2016-2017
Anya Bache, Year 8
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