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Our new Block 3 (Year 9) students had an energetic start to the academic year, spending the first week of term off-site with the The Outward Bound Trust in Ullswater. The multi-activity experience forms a core part of their induction to Bedales Senior and offers a valuable opportunity for tutor groups to get to know each other. The thrilling week of activities and outdoor adventure in the Lake District encourages teamwork, authentic working relationships and a sense of responsibility, putting the school's founding motto, 'work of each for weal of all' into practice. Read about each tutor group's experiences below.
Allen Shone's tutor group:
With the prospect of wet weather with a chance of thunderstorms our instructor got his request in early and booked us into the Outward Bound Hilton – otherwise known as Ruthwaite Lodge. Our expedition was then planned around here. After a delayed set off having to organise food and firewood, the minibus dropped us off in Glenridding where after a pleasant if somewhat wet walk along Grisedale Beck we left civilisation and the valley and took the steeper ascent up to Grisedale Tarn. Team Fields alternating who was leading and in charge of navigation on the way.
Two-thirds of the way up the hillside we had an hour's respite at our lodgings for the night. Bags were dropped off at Ruthwaite Lodge with a chance to finish a second lunch. Now no longer laden down we walked up to Grisedale Tarn up a slippery path, wisely avoiding the initial plan which was to try a spot of bouldering amongst the surrounding crags .After admiring the view from Grisedale Tarn we returned to the lodge for an evening of finding an old abandoned mine and a few rounds of poker all while keeping warm from the wood stove. Rising bright and early and with better weather the next morning we descended back down the valley to Glenridding where we were met by the manager of Outward Bound with several canoes for a final two-hour paddle back to the mansion.
A thank you to Fields Team, Outward Bound and John our instructor.
Greg Clarke's tutor group:
We have had a wonderful week in Ullswater, in the heart of the Lake District National Park, with the new Block 3s (Year 9s) and the Sixth Form Badley Mentors making an immense contribution. My tutor group hiked to Hayeswater in the Patterdale Valley where we camped in torrential rain which only served to raise our spirits and increase our resolve to make the most of our time and take a late night climb to a nearby peak, before the long march to Glenridding next morning from where we rowed up to the Outward Bound Centre with the westerly wind helping us along. The resilience, good cheer and rapport shown by my tutees and indeed the whole of the year group fills me with confidence and optimism for their first terms at Bedales Senior.
Matt Meyer's tutor group:
Matt's group warmed up for their expedition on Tuesday with a spot of jogging and dipping and jumping into Ullswater from Kailpot. They eventually got dry and changed and organised back at the centre, and then after a few false starts rowed to Pooley Bridge as a team with shouts of one, two, three, row! They then hiked up Heughscar Hill, thinking the weather will hold, but the rain set in. Luckily, they had pitched their tents prior to their assent, and so they were still able to enjoy their delicious (or not so delicious, depending on who was asked) boil in the bag meals, with the chilli and rice being the biggest hit. The next day, they woke up and decamped in the rain, but their spirits were not broken and their team spirit kept them going on their walk to Howtown. They finished off their expedition by canoeing across the mighty Ullswater in the drizzle. They degunged, and then enjoyed their long-awaited and hard-earned hot showers.
Amanda Bruzon's tutor group:
Amanda's group with Clive was in the first wave of expeditions, starting their journey on one side of Grisedale. From there they heading to Ruthwaite Lodge and then on to Grisedale Tarn and beyond. Upon their return to the bothy for the night, they enjoyed all the comforts of home, except for mattresses and pillows, a fridge and a microwave, and a shower and a toilet, amongst other unnecessary luxuries. There was light but no heat, but that didn't matter at all. With a wide range of boil in the bag options for both supper and breakfast and a couple of very entertaining after dinner games - Flip, Squeeze and Grab (details upon application) and Freeman, Hardy and Willis (if you know, you know) - there was plenty of fun and laughter to be had by all. They walk back down the other side of the valley in Lake District dry weather (drizzle) but it brightened up for their water-based return from Glenridding to the Outward Bound centre. This involved joining pairs of Canadian canoes together to travel most of the length of Ullswater. At one point, Amanda’s Armada (as it shall forever be known) paused for a speeding steamer to going one way, but then they benefitted from it’s return journey by catching the waves in its wake for a little canoe surfing. Once safely back with only one incidence of 'man overboard' in shallow water, they set about the business of degunging with little fuss or bother, and prepared themselves for the challenge of the tunnels...
Teresa Zogaj's tutor group:
Teresa's group with Alex opened up the week with a jog and dip and then a splash from the Jetty for some. It felt quite cold as the wind picked up but we were all up for the challenge of getting wet. After good nights sleep and a hearty breakfast we set of for a gorge walk which was more of a scramble. Students climbed the river, following the white water and supporting each other by spotting from behind and using a roman hand-shake to pull from above. The students excelled at this and in the more technical aspects where we were belayed on ropes to aid our climb. The evening entertainment involved orienteering around the centre site.
Our group expedition involved careful packing of rucksacks and the setting up of canoes tethered together in pairs to increase stability in the forecast winds. The students paddles for close to two hours to arrive at Pooley Bridge where we moved into Hiking made to climb up to Skirsgill Hill, our wild camp location. After the tents were set and beds made we at the ration packs that the students had selected. Some were nicer than others. After a moment of silent reflection. Overlooking \Ullswater with the moon rising in the sky we went to bed.
In the morning we broke camp for a very brisk hike to the outward bound sister centre across the lake and a power boat ride home. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Teressa's group who all demonstrated kindness and community spirit.
Jen Moore's tutor group:
Jen's group (with Chris and Will) had a wonderful week that began with a day of teambuilding exercises on Ullswater, building a canoe raft, crossing the lake and then ghyll scrambling up the side of the valley. The following day, powerboating to Kailpot for some cliff jumping from various heights into the lake. Our expedition saw us dropped off at Howtown from where we traversed the lake path around the lakeshore encountering Deer, horses, geese and swans we prepared our food on the Trangias, before ascending the steep escarpment to the Sheepfold where despite the forecast almost no rain fell. Tents assembled at dusk followed by hot chocolate and sleep. The morning return was in equally glorious sunshine, as was our row back across the lake where the group experienced two minutes of total silence and calm as we paused our row and took in the still and beauty of the moment. Tunnelling completed the groups activities following their degunge, showing their togetherness and communication and support for one another, qualities burnished this week that will see them thrive together going forwards.
Milly Kearns' tutor group:
Milly’s group threw themselves into this week, starting as they meant to go on by jumping straight off the coach and into the Ullswater lake for their jog and dip. The team showcasing their recently acknowledged determination and resilience in and amongst a few bemused expressions and probing questions. The next day after some “surprisingly good lunch”, wrapped up warm and sufficiently waterproofed the team leapt into the river with little hesitation ready for the gorge scrambling ahead. With only a few prompts from Instructor Ryan and Instructor Alex, they were soon anchoring, supporting, and Avay-ing Roman handshakes all the way up the river- they even managed some of it blindfolded!
They took this support and patience into the tunnels with them that evening, encouraging anyone less confident and scrambling and squeezing into the tightest spots, some even turning their headtorches off to make their way out of the inky dark of the tubes by feel and sheer bravery alone. This put them in good stead for their Wednesday expedition which was forecasted to be heavy rain and strong winds earlier in the week, but that didn’t stop these plucky warriors as they emerged from scrambling up the steep “jungle” on the edge of Sheffield Pike to subsiding rain and even a glimpse of sun. The whole team came together to erect a stylish group shelter (which quickly ripped in half on their continued evening voyage to the top of Sheffield Pike), and to fashion a small village of tents around it. After a decadent feast of boil in the bag meals, and a rather disappointing chocolate pudding dessert, the team headed to bed, ready for their return down the mountain the next day.
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