On Wednesday 25th April 2012, the PE Dept. took 24 pupils, who had been recognised for their hard work, contribution to school teams and dedication to extra curricular clubs to Upton Warren Outdoor Centre in Bromsgrove for an action packed day.
The group was split into three teams; Team Ste, Team Dan and Team Liam and competed in a series of challenges to earn points. The teams battled in out in the underground tunnels, learning how to communicate and navigate the underground system in the dark before transporting water, they scaled the 15m high climbing wall in a time challenge, then applied their thinking skills to a series of problem solving tasks.
The team standings by lunch time placed ‘Team Ste’ in the lead with 1850 points, ‘Team Liam’ on 1700 points and ‘Team Dan on 1500 points. The teams then converted these points into cash, which allowed them to buy equipment to build a raft for the final challenge. All the teams learned how to build a raft, developing knot skills and construction techniques to lash their rafts together, before a quick test in a very cold lake!
It was a very exciting final challenge, with the teams racing out to the centre of lake, around a buoy, before heading back to shore, it looked as if Team Dan was going to be victorious, but a last burst of team work and energy from Team Liam over took them and racing ‘Team Ste’ right to the beach – both teams abandoned ship and ran a shore, with Team Liam claiming the win.
A fabulous day was had by all, despite the very wet weather. Thanks go to Mr Hope and Mrs Ketteringham for organising the trip and to Liam McDonnell, Stephen Bennett and Daniel Westwood for their team leadership and help on the day.
