Childhood school memories are precious.
They stay with us for a lifetime.
That’s why school residential trips are special. They give our pupils experiences that will be remembered fondly and develop their learning.
The girls at Northampton High School get the chance to participate in overnight trips from Year 3 onwards. These trips encourage our girls to step out of their comfort zone and embrace the world without their parents. For many children, the Year 3 trip is the first time away from their family, which aids social development through creating bonds with their classmates, using initiative to problem solve, and allowing freedom of choice in a safe environment. It helps to develop:
- Independence
- Time management skills
- Ways of supporting classmates
The Year 3 trip helps children learn basic everyday skills such as making a bed, being responsible for their own belongings, sitting at a table and eating their dinner with friends, learning to set the table for dinner, keeping their bedroom tidy, eating a healthy meal, going to sleep at a reasonable time so that they wake up the next morning, ready to have a positive day. Although this last one often happens after the first night!
The focus for the residential trips in Year 5 and Year 6 is completely different. The girls face challenges and achieve things that they did not think possible. This approach gives them a confidence boost they can take into other areas of their life and learning. Crate-stacking is a fun team activity where they work together to build a huge tower of crates while standing on the top in Year 5, while Year 6 use strength and determination in an exhilarating dragon boat race on water. Our hope is that the girls emerge from their residential trips changed to some small degree. A small step towards developing into their truest and best selves whilst even more prepared for the exciting world in which we live.
And having created those incredible memories that you remember for the rest of your life.
Mrs Smith
Class 4N Teacher