At the beginning of term, Year 9 set out to Whitwell Hall on a Thursday morning for two nights of sleeping under canvas, cooking as a form group over open fires and completing teamwork activities.

Each of the new forms, together with their form tutor, embraced the challenges and made the most of the opportunity to get to know one another. They were blessed with blue skies and warm sunshine throughout, and the woodland setting of Whitwell Hall, near Reepham, was idyllic.

Once the art of keeping the fire lit, ensuring hot water was available at all times, and mastering the supersized frying pans was achieved, things began to work smoothly, and teamwork came to the fore. The groups enjoyed shelter building, orienteering and crafts to name a few. One student commented, “It was good fun and I particularly enjoyed lighting the fire and making bracelets. All of the activities were fun and engaging.”

It was a brilliant start to the school year and a valuable way to build friendships, old and new.