A TRIP to Wales, circuit training, smoothie-making and dancercise sessions were just some of the activities Westacre Middle School pupils enjoyed to teach them about keeping their bodies and minds in good shape.
The year seven children learnt about both physical and mental well-being and how nutrition and other factors could contribute to a healthy lifestyle.
The week coincided with the annual residential trip at the Drapers’ Field Centre in Betws-y-Coed where 50 youngsters took part in outdoor adventure activities in the Snowdonia National Park.
As well as scaling cliffs, scrambling gorges and abseiling, they also climbed Snowdon – the tallest mounain in England and Wales.
Despite heavy rainfall preventing the group from reaching the summit this year, the children still managed to complete the challenges put in front them with enthusiasm and damp, wet smiles on their faces.
All the pupils came back to Westacre with stories to tell families and friends, along with a great sense of personal pride.
Phil Cotton, their head of year and trip leader, said: “Though the weather on the day of the climb made the challenge even harder, it was great to see the children show the resilience to make it as high up the mountain as possible.
“It has been a fantastic week and I think we all sleep through most of the bank holiday.”
Pupil Tamzin Rudge said: “When I looked over the cliff edge and saw how high it was, I didn’t think I’d be able to do it but when I reached the bottom I was so, so proud of myself.”
Another Westacre pupil, Jaxon Tandy, added, “This week, I’ve been scared, excited, surprised, but most of all I’m proud of what I have achieved.”
As part of the school’s Healthy Living Week, the remaining year seven pupils back in school also enjoyed a week of activities that furthered their understanding of nutrition, mental well being and the importance of exercise.
One of the activities was visiting the Morrisons store in Droitwich as part of the Academy of Food programme. Here they developed the knowledge and skills necessary to prepare delicious, healthy dishes and even brought back some fruit that was generously given by the superstore to make smoothies.
As well as a number of physical activities being offered in school, Droitwich Leisure Centre kindly provided the Westacre children with a number of activities across the week. These included a circuit training and dance session, badminton, football, racketball, as well as a fitness session in the gym.
Mr McMullen, the school’s PE leader and organiser of Healthy Living Week, said: “It was fantastic to see each and every child putting 100 per cent effort into all of the activities we did during the week. I was glad to hear so many of the children now telling me they wanted to be more active and play more sport at the weekends.”
Deputy headteacher Paul Barber said: “We would like to pass on our gratitude to the staff at Rivers Fitness, Morrisons and Drapers’ Field for helping give our children an unforgettable week.
“Each and every pupil has thoroughly enjoyed the opportunities and have taken a lot from each of them.
“Well done to all of the children for meeting every challenge head on and showing such resilience and enthusiasm throughout the week.
“Finally, thank you to the many staff at Westacre who have gone above and beyond this week with their time and commitment.”
Visit https://westacre.j2bloggy.com/Snowdon-2019/ to read the school’s blog about the trip.
