Category: Year 5 – St Josephine Bakhita

Thursday PM

There were opportunities for chatting in the sunshine, perhaps some games or that final fine tune to the talent show act.

Then came learning about and preparing for Mass.

Father Mark gave Mass in the chapel and was brilliant with the children, explaining the theology and history behind the prayers and rituals during the Mass, making complex ideas very simple and well, obvious. Even the adults came away thinking: ‘So that’s why we do that’ or ‘I never thought of it that way before’.

The Talent Show

The evening started off with a rendition of ‘My Lighthouse’ by the Year 5 resident Boy-Band with everyone off their feet joining in with their coordinated moves and grooves.  Then some breath taking gymnastics ; mesmerising magic from our own man of mystery; a brilliant solo dance display to ‘Count on Me’; powerful singing with vocal dexterity homage to Imagine Dragons; and finally we all went wild when an impromptu duet led us all through the routine for ‘Hold my Hand’.

After prayers it was bed.

In the words of Dinah Washington: ‘What a difference a day makes’. The children were begging to go to bed and a much quieter (and restful) night was had by all.

Friday Morning:

We’re all packed up. There is time for a few activities, a final explore and play before lunch and home.

The children have had a fantastic time. The setting has been breathtaking. Good, wholesome meals and above all, fabulaous staff here at SPEC who have made our stay one that will bring lifelong happy memories.

Breakfast over, it’s time for meditation and prayers. A very calming experience and for several of the boys – eyes closed, drifting away listening  to the gentle strains of waves upon the shore proved to be too much after last night’s exertions and they had to be shaken from their slumber at  the end of the meditation.

Next it was learning about the Mysteries of the Rosary which involved identifying certain mysteries to complete their own Rosary Beads. Then came artwork based on discipleship.  Lunch and then more fun and games where the children had their latent, inner  child of the 60s or 70s awakened and enjoyed the delights of running around playing tag or similar in the woods with not a an electrical device in sight.

That worked up our appetites!

Some work on the Beatitudes now before preparing for tonight’s Mass and of course taking some time out for rehearsing for the Talent Show.

After some time in the chapel, it was time for the campfire with cocoa.  The children joined in with some rousing songs followed by a haunting melody played on the harmonica by one of the children displaying their talents as if by way of a prelude for tonight’s talent show.

We got the children as tired as we could but now we could not put off the moment we adults had been dreading- bedtime! Nineteen boys in one room, 14 girls in another,  away from home for the first time. What could go wrong?

To allay any fears, we told them they could, in an emergency, reach us instantly, at any time in the middle of the night, by pressing the doorbell to our rooms. We gave them the definition of emergency outlined by the Oxford Dictionary:

EMERGENCY – ‘a serious, unexpected, and often dangerous situation requiring immediate action’
Oxford Dictionary:

However, something was lost in translation-

The Year 5 definition of emergency:

“I heard some of the other boys talking”; “I know you said we could use the toilet but I just thought I’d check”; “Is it time to get up?”;  “I’m not sure about my toe.”

Needless to say, there were no emergencies (adult definition) and although lively, the children were all happy; safe and sound and there were no tearful situations in the night.

We are all ready for the day ahead.

Now off to breakfast!

The atmosphere was buzzing as we embarked on our journey.  The sun was shining and everyone was looking forward to SPEC and wondering if, in reality,  it would be as pretty as the photos. Upon arrival, it felt like we had landed in Eden! After a brief orientation session, the children were shown to their rooms. 

The day consists of sessions in small groups punctuated by periods of down time where the children can relax in the grounds or play football.

Relaxation and free time

Orienteering:

Spiritual Sculpture

Outdoor Drama

Meals

Mealtimes can often be a flash-point with children being notoriously picky eaters. Not so year 5. A healthy appetite everyone.

A bit of football to work off the meal then some games, chapel and the campfire before bed.

I will be holding a meeting for parents to give an outline of the trip and answer any questions/concerns you might have.

Venue : Year 5 Class

Date : Tuesday 7th May

Time : 6 pm.

Hope to see you there. If you are unable to attend, please feel free to see me for clarification on any issue. I will put any materials used for the meeting on the Year 5 web page.

In the meantime, please complete the health /diet questionaire that your child will collect on Monday and return to me as soon as possible.

Thank you for your support,

Mr Creaton

On Friday, Year 1 and Year 5 paired up to share their favourite stories. It was lovely to hear the children reading aloud and enjoying each other’s books!

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