Year 6 Residential 2025

Our intrepid explorers set off just after lunch time, full of excitement and a few nerves. Everyone's bags were packed, weighed and covered in Le Rondin Ribbon to help us at the airport.

The flight to Exeter was a little shaky, but we made it down in one piece. Then came the coach ride, and you won't believe it, but the highlight so far was definitely the stop at McDonald's! Sometimes it's the little things, isn't it?

We finally rolled into Calvert around six this evening. After the whole check-in process and finding our way to our houses, we all gathered for dinner and then took a walk to the reservoir. It felt good to move around after being cooped up traveling all day. Tomorrow's when the activities kick off – We have been split into 2 groups: Lynton and Instow. Now for a good night's sleep before tomorrow's adventure.

A busy day today! For the Lynton group, it sounds like the morning was spent at the stables – They enjoyed some horse riding and helping to brush the animals and clean the stables. Meanwhile, the Instow group had a more adventurous morning with abseiling and the zip wire – that must have been quite a thrill! Even some of the adults gave it a go!

Everyone had a hearty lunch of jacket potatoes with cheese, beans and salad before heading off to the afternoon activities. Lynton group jumped straight into bushcraft activities, which sounds like a great way to connect with nature and learn some new skills. Whereas the Instow group headed to the stables for some horse riding, brushing and mucking out!

After a tasty dinner (a difficult choice between chicken noodle stir fry or cottage pie with vegetables) everyone was ready for a cool, refreshing dip in the pool. There were lots of happy, yet very tired, children by the end of the day... Bring on tomorrow!

The day started with a cooked breakfast at 8:30 AM followed by some downtime. Then, at 10:00 AM, the morning activities began. For the Lynton group, they were on the KMX Bikes around the reservoir. It was beautiful weather and the views were well worth the hard work cycling up hill. Over in the Instow group, they were busy with bushcraft, making tents, fires and roasting marshmallows. 

Lunch rolled around at 1:00 PM, and I bet everyone was ready for a break and some food after their morning activities. It was time for delicious home-made sausage rolls, chips and salad along with a selection of cakes to choose from. Then, at 2:00 PM, the afternoon activities kicked off. The Lynton group took on the abseiling and zip wire – that was quite an experience! Big smiles all around! And the Instow group had their turn on the KMX Bikes... a little trickier getting up the big hill after such a filling lunch!

We even squeezed in a refreshing 30-minute swim and a delightful countryside walk before our evening meal, a roast dinner with vegetables and apple crumble for dessert.

Christine asked a few of the children what their favourite activities had been over the past few days:

Oscar and Riley have really enjoyed the bikes.

Harry's favourites are the zip wire and swimming.

Alex has enjoyed the abseiling and swimming.

Later in the evening, we had a really special treat – zoo animals came to visit! It was definitely a memorable way to end the day. Then it was back to the houses for a hot chocolate and a big sleep.

All the children (and staff!) are having a wonderful time. Tomorrow is the last day of activities before their departure on Friday.

It's the final day of activities at Calvert, and the tiredness is definitely setting in – especially with some children (and staff) walking up to 13 kilometres in a day! But everyone was up bright and early for a hearty full cooked breakfast, complete with cereals and juices – definitely needed to fuel up for the last day's adventures.

This morning, the Lynton group tackled the crate stacking challenge, while the Instow group were aiming for bullseyes with archery.

Lunch was a comforting cheesy tomato pasta bake, and there were, of course, a few tempting cakes for dessert to keep energy levels up before the afternoon.

Then, the groups switched activities for the final push. The Lynton group spent their afternoon honing their aim with archery, and the Instow group took on the challenge of crate stacking.

Dinner tonight was a choice between a warming chilli con carne or a flavourful vegetable tagine, followed by a well-deserved delicious chocolate brownie. It sounds like a fantastic final day, even with the tired legs!

The last night at Calvert always ends with a party. Everyone gets dressed up and they dance and sing the night away! What a fabulous end to a fabulous trip.

Well... Calvert residential comes to an end once more. The children and staff have had a whale of a time!

Everyone woke up, packed their bags and went for their final delicious hot breakfast. Everyone ate well, with the highlight being bacon and toast. This is the formal apology to any parents who will be making bacon sandwiches for the rest of the weekend!

After ensuring all the bags were packed, we went for a bright and early walk to the reservoir (some of them for the second time that day!). The views were spectacular and we enjoyed our last bit of fresh air before heading back to catch our taxis.

Everyone bundled into the cars and, almost immediately, we had lots of additional naps on our drive to McDonalds. Those golden arches beckoned us once more and we devoured a, not so healthy but definitely delicious, lunch!

Then it was back into the cars to Exeter Airport. We arrived at around 1pm and checked in ready to head home but not before a little shopping spree in duty free! Everyone was ready to head home and we landed in Guernsey at around 4.30 to some very excited families. 

The Calvert team had this to say about the trip:

It has been a true privilege spending the past five days with your children. We have been so impressed by their resilience, bravery, good manners, and politeness. While we've had an incredible time and made lasting memories, they are all very much looking forward to being back with their families.

Thank you so much to our PSFA for funding such a wonderful trip.