Day 1 (Monday 20th October 2025)
After a prompt departure from school just soon after 8am, 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 wet start did nothing to dampen spirits 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 to a welcome break in the rain so far. 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 catch an earlier than scheduled ferry, as well as get out on deck despite the blustery conditions – photos hopefully attached! We were 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 Victoria chalets, thoughts turned to the days ahead, with groups looking forward to activities to come alongside getting acclimatised to their new surroundings (albeit with growing puddles forming around chalet entrances!?). As we first write back to you some of this update, children have settled into their rooms (some more destructively than others) and look forward to an upcoming dinner…
6 o’clock came at last and a range of choices later met us, including fish fingers and wedges, pasta, chicken and tomato sauce and SPONGE CAKE 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, Ambush, a sight-wide game of hide and seek in the dark (which should be extra eventful after a wet day too). We have just now wished Elliot a Happy Birthday too, with a fine rendition to fill the Isle of Wight air! The children regardless of a long day are still up for the challenge of an evening activity as expected and hopefully this final hurdle will see them sleep soundly tonight after this (fingers crossed from all!).
Until tomorrow, when the Sensory Trail provides a muddy afternoon offering for us all, alongside other experiences such as Archery and Orienteering. It WILL get muddy!
We hold out hopes for a drier forecast tomorrow, but before that, a settled night’s sleep for all….
