Day 1 (Monday 19th October 2026)

After a swift departure from school at around 8.15, we set off for the Portsmouth dockyards in high spirits and excitement for the week ahead. All were pleased to get away and looking ahead to the adventures to come! A foggy start cleared for sunnier skies as we sped towards the coastline, and we were pleased with the children’s bravery and team spirit as we set off on the adventure together.

Following a positive coach trip, we arrived on time to the dockyards.  After a quick toilet trip, we headed for the Mary Rose Museum, which offered Tudor interactions and insightful artefacts. The children particularly enjoyed the interactive Mary Rose battle scenes, giving us a first-hand insight into historic naval combat!

Soon after this, the group headed back to the coach to board the much-anticipated ferry to the Isle of Wight. We were fortunate to get out on deck for the duration of the journey – everyone enjoying this as hopefully seen in photos attached! We were again pleased with the children’s active nature towards what was for many a totally new experience.

And just like that, half an hour or so later, we arrived at Little Canada (again, to claps and cheers aplenty from children and staff!). As groups unpacked cases and bags into their chalets, thoughts turned to the days ahead, with groups looking forward to activities to come alongside getting acclimatised to their new surroundings. As we first write back to you some of this update, children have settled into their rooms (some more destructively than others) and are busy playing a variety of team games to settle in with our group leader…

A 5 o’clock dinner then came at last and a range of choices later met us, including fish fingers and wedges, pasta, chicken and tomato sauce and JELLY for dessert! We were pleased that all were able to find something to eat on this first night, with some also topping up from the salad bar, bread and side dishes on offer.

As we now write, the children are tonight preparing for their first activity of the week, PGL Games. All are currently writing their postcards (some with more enthusiasm than others!?) and digging through cases for warmer clothing for the evening event to come. The children regardless of a long day are still up for the challenge of this as expected and hopefully this final hurdle will see them sleep soundly tonight after this (fingers crossed from all!).

Until tomorrow, when activities including Matrix, Orienteering and Climbing await. Wet weather is forecast, so it remains to be seen if our report back will focus on this or not! Either way, we all look forward to a busy Tuesday to come.

But of course before that, a settled night’s sleep for all….fingers crossed, and an update on this hopefully in the morning too!