Year 3 had a Narnia-themed Activities Week. The highlights were our two trips out. The first was to the Earth Trust Centre at Wittenham Clumps where we made a camp as if we were fighting the Last Battle in Narnia. We also lit fires to protect ourselves from wolves and our enemies. Then we went to the Story Museum where we had a CS Lewis-themed walk around Oxford and saw landmarks which influenced his writing. We also made Narnia biscuits, board games and Top Trumps! 

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Year 4 Activities Week opened in style with a trip to the Pitt Rivers Museum to find out more about the Maya. Our guide was very impressed by the boys’ knowledge of Maya culture and daily life while they discussed the ‘mystery objects’. Then we explored the museum, hunting for Maya artefacts among the displays and comparing them to others from closely related cultures. Then it was back to the education room for a lively session of Maya mask-making, featuring plenty of ‘jade’ and ‘quetzal feathers’! It was a lovely way start the week and to round off all the boys’ hard work on the Maya. 

On Wednesday, the Year 4 trip to Liddington swung into action straight away as the boys soared into the sky on the giant swing. It looked a bit scary, but flying with a friend turned it into a thrill. The boys had scarcely caught their breath before it was on to aeroball – a sort of trampoline-volleyball-basketball. Then we ‘relaxed’ in the evening with an intense ‘Balloon Splash’ session where the boys had to employ their ingenuity and inventiveness to save their water balloon from destruction.

The next day the boys conquered any fear of height and speed on the zipwire, and spent the other half of the morning building rafts. These evolved into impressive creations. After lunch the boys really got to grips with heights during their Vertical Challenge – an immense obstacle course in the sky. We learned a lot about safety precautions and climbing harnesses, which stood us in good stead for the climbing wall on the final day. The blindfold sensory obstacle course that followed was sheer relaxation in comparison! Throughout, the boys did themselves proud by supporting and encouraging each other. The atmosphere round the evening campfire, with marshmallows and stories (many told by the boys), really brought the class together. 

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Year 5 departed NCS excited for a week away, and at last the sun was shining brightly as we left. After a very informative look around both “Warrior” and “HMS Victory” we walked across to the harbour to catch the FastCat ferry over to Ryde. The boys enjoyed a great first day building sandcastles on the beach before returning for a hearty dinner. Over the next few days we experienced the Isle of Wight at its very best; bright, warm sunshine and fantastic activities. From sailing on the Solent and flying on the giant swing, to problem solving and survival skills, the boys really challenged themselves and pushed well beyond what they thought they were capable of. The highlight for many was the muddy sensory trail and of course the abseiling! Another calm crossing and we were back on the mainland with 22 tired but happy travellers ready for a nap on the coach back to Oxford.