Sennockian 2016-2017 | Page 98

Trips and Activities R eview of the Year Sevenoaks pupils benefit from a large programme of educational visits and trips, including over 40 travelling abroad. This year, we developed two residential trips for Lower School pupils, introducing more team building in an outdoors adventurous setting. We also introduced a Year 9 Classics trip to Bath and a cricket tour to Grenada. Next year a Physics trip to NASA in Florida and a rugby tour to Hong Kong and Australia are planned. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme goes from strength to strength. However, in addition to the normal walking groups, we have had a number of groups canoeing for the expedition phase of their Gold Award, including some that travelled to Croatia to do so. 92 TRIPS AND ACTIVITIES Meanwhile the CCF has been very popular with large numbers signing up and the introduction of a ceremonial drill squad that was showcased alongside the Gun Run on Founder’s Day. We have also been boosted by the addition of cadets from Knole Academy joining us as they start to develop their own CCF as part of the government’s Cadet Expansion Programme. However, our sports programme also aims to provide a positive relationship with exercise for all pupils, not just those competing at the top level. To that end we have been developing the concept of multi-sports on fixture days for those not selected for teams. This allows pupils to experience a variety of sporting disciplines including martial arts, climbing and properly learning the technique of indoor rowing. In 2016-17 we were ranked eighth in the UK for independent school sport, based on the range of sports we offer, the number of teams we put out and the number of teams reaching national finals. We are also delighted to have been selected as the venue to host the national cross country finals, which take place in November. Many thanks are due to all the staff who give their time to make such a wide range of activities and trips possible. I should also note that I have thoroughly enjoyed the last three years as Deputy Head Co- Curriculum. I wish my successor, Dr Adrian Rainbow, every success and hope that he and his family will be as happy at Sevenoaks as we have been. Geoffrey Stanford SEVENOAKS SCHOOL 2016-2017 93