Sciennes P6@Benmore 2015

Thursday, 5 March 2015

Ropes Course by Miles

It was a Wednesday when group 5 did the ropes course. It was right

next the Benmore tower so we didn't have to go by mini-bus. The

equipment we needed was body harnesses, chest harnesses, seat

harnesses, ropes and a helmet.

First we went on the low ropes where you were only walking on ropes,

walking from tyre to tyre, swinging from rope to rope and jumping on bits

of wood.

Then we the high ropes. First we did the trapeze which was a high log

with foot holds and arm holds and at the top there was a square which

wobbled when you were on it. Here you needed jump and try and catch

the metal pole. When I was at the top, it felt like I was 20 metres above

the ground because the trapeze was really high. What I saw were hills

just behind the trapeze and my instructor.

The other thing group 5 did was another high ropes course which was a

beam that was steep. Then you had to climb up metal foot and hand

holds to two ropes, one for feet and one for your hands. After this, you

needed to go to the other side and climb up the the hand and foot holds

then onto another rope with ropes hanging from the top. Aneirin was

too scared to go on the high ropes, he only went on the low ropes.

I liked it because it was fun getting lowered down by my instructor really

fast and I liked swinging on the bar at the top of the trapeze because I

knew that I had made it to the top of the trapeze. I would love to go

again because I like climbing and it was fun trying to do a challenge on

staying balanced on the ropes. What I would change about that day is

trying to making our own fire because we smothered it.

On Wednesday, Paul told us that we were going to do the forest walk! We had to wear our waterproofs and wellies because it was really muddy and wet there. But we did get to walk under bridges and run around in streams.

We walked and walked for what seemed like forever as Paul told us about the plants and trees.

About half way, we stopped for hot chocolate and we played hide and seek. You were only allowed to hide within 100 steps of the bench. I hid in between the baby pine trees because people thought it was too spiny for anyone to hide in. I eventually came out ( due to boredom) and helped Jane find the others. Tom hid in a small cave; him Toby and Luke found and it took Tom about 10 minutes to get back.

Near the end of the walk, Elizabeth had an idea that we could do a night walk in the day. We all thought it was a great idea.

The night day walk was fun but hard ( and it was suppose to be done at night!!). We ended up splitting into two by accident. It was very long and very very muddy. When I finished both my wellies and the bottom of my trouser leg were sodden with mud.

Me and Lena were the third pair to get back. When we did, I started to wash my wellies and my trousers in the stream. When I finished I was very wet but clean.

When Jane and Amalie finally got back and tried to wash their boots the water was so full of mud I could just about see the bottom of the shallow pool I was washing my boots in.

We had to wait for about five minutes for new water to come in and the old muddy water to drain out.

When we finally finished washing our boots, we were so wet we looked like we had just been on the gorge walk ( well the bottom half of us anyway).

Climbing And Abseiling by Matthew

On Thursday morning, I met in the Lecture Room with Joe, Ms. French and the rest of Group 6. We always met in the Lecture Room and today it was buzzing with excitement because we were going climbing and abseiling! Joe told us to get all of our gear and meet at the helmet room. Having decided at home that this was going to be the best activity I couldn't wait. We all walked to the centre and sang songs the whole way there

Despite having a very bumpy ride in the minibus, it was worth it because the climbing centre was awesome. We were kitted out with our carabiners, harnesses and ropes. First we had to climb right round the centre across every wall. Then we had to climb up the walls using only one colour path. I actually didn't find it to hard or scary to do even though I barely ever do climbing. Although that was easy, next we had to do an overhang which was harder. It took me a few tries but I did it! Woo Hoo! I really don't see how people can be so terrified of doing that. If they think it's high that's ok. As time went everyone had finished and we were ready for abseiling.

When we got to the quarry, we walked up to the top of the 50ft rock to do the 50ft abseil! There was a fence blocking us from plunging to our doom. It was made of old ship masts. I was super excited because it was the activity I wanted to do the most. I went first and they attached the carabiner to my harness and I was ready to go. I looked down the sheer drop. Ms. French was at the bottom. It looked a long way down. I looked across the beautiful countryside of Benmore and the sparkling water of Lock Eck. Then I stepped over the edge and began the journey down! At first I was a tiny bit scared so I only walked. I took my time because I wanted to enjoy this activity as much as possible. About a quarter of the way down, there is a slippery bit that juts out of the rock. I had to jump over that. Nearly half the way down I had more confidence and I started to bounce all the way down. I reached the bottom and did a little celebration. I drank some of the black current squash Joe had brought. I waited for Calum and Stephen to come down and we lined some cups up on a branch. We stood back and tried to hit them with rocks. Finally everyone made it down the cliff and we went home :)).

That same day we went gorge walking and that was another great activity. I did the slippy branch, The Keyhole, The Wishing Well and The Rock of Africa. The Wishing Well was the coldest for me because that's so deep and I'm kinda small :/. I would go abseiling again unless it was very, very high up. I think anyone who has a fear of heights or anyone who loves a challenge should do this. The only thing I would change about that day is make climbing and abseiling the last activity because that was the best one. :D

My Five Favourite Activities:

1. Climbing and Abseiling

2. Gorge Walking

3. Caving

4. Kayaking

5. Night Walk

Chaotic Canoeing by Anna Gra and Tess

Riding on the mini-bus, on Wednesday afternoon, was one of the bumpiest rides we've ever been on. Euan (our instructor) was driving group 8 along-side Loch Eck for our afternoon activity, canoeing. When we arrived, we were kitted out with buoyancy aids and a paddle each. Group 8 were shown how to use a canoe paddle, holding the t-grip with one hand and the shaft with the other. Next we had to carry the canoes down to the water. We were sharing a canoe and were able to get to our destination fast, yelling commands at each other, laughing all the way.

Before long the rest of group 8 had arrived where we were floating.

"Right when I blow the whistle paddle over to the white buoy and link the canoes together, ok?" commanded Euan.

" Let play some games," said Euan. So in our Canadian Canoes we practised our aim by trying to throw the balls into Euan's boat whilst he tried to stop them. Then he blew the whistle and we linked all the boats. All the people sitting at the front aka me ( Anna) had to stand on the sides of the boat(called gunnels). I was absolutely terrified of standing up never mind on the sides. Tess didn't help this however. Whilst I (Anna) was tottering precariously on the gunnels, Tess was shaking the boat violently!

Ha ha! It was hilarious. I (Tess) was shaking it this way and that way. But unfortunately she got me back because I had to do it! But she didn't do it like I did it but when I was standing the other two boats floated away! But I guess that was funny.

Whilst Tess was standing up, I( Anna) drifted away. Tess nearly fell into the water… But unluckily she didn't.

"It was a good thing I (Tess) didn't fall into the water Anna."

"No it wasn't."

As we paddled towards the other side of the loch, we met the Kayakers, but we took no notice of them for when we reached the other side of the loch we were to have warm black urbane juice and biscuits.

As soon as we'ed drank our juice and eaten our biscuits we canoed down the edge of Lock Eck and I (Anna) had to do the limbo, Tess got a branch in her eye and we both ended up laughing.

Paddling back went smoothly, maybe a little to smoothly because as Aidan was getting out of his canoe, he fell in! On our way back mine and Tess' ears were agony for the boys were singing Let It Go.

This was the best day of our lives we thought.

Climbing And Abseiling by Isla

On Wednesday morning I was going Climbing and abseiling with group 2. I was really looking forward to it as my friend was too. I have never been abseiling before but have done climbing before. My Instructor, Scott, said to meet in the field study room in about 10 minutes so he could tell us what we have to wear and bring.

After we had met Scott, I went up to my dorm with my friend Laiba who was in my group and did everything he told us to do. I came back down ready to go. This is what we needed: socks, trousers, gloves thin, trainers you don't mind getting muddy, a jumper and a coat.

Soon we were off, walking to the cliff called the Quarry. It took about 10 minutes to get there.

Here we were at the Quarry ready to climb and abseil. First he told us to put our helmets on. Scott and the other Instructor Jo went up first so they could throw the harness down to us. A few people went before me but finally it was my shot. So I got the harness from Scott and up I went.

I got to this really hard bit and I was stuck there for about 1 minute but then I managed to do the rest of it. After pushing on again, I got to the top. Taking off my harness, I sat down on the rock. The other people came up and then he said we are going to do abseiling now. I was so nervous but I really wanted to do it.

We got to the place were you abseil I went 3rd. I was hooked on and then I leaned back so my hips were in line with my shoulders then he said, "walk down".

I walked down the cliff. Soon it got to this really deep bit but he just said to keep going. I wasn't going to stop anyway. It was so fun I just wanted to do it again and again. Finally I got to the bottom of the cliff were I took off my harness and put the rope back up to Scott and Jo. I waited till everyone had done it, everyone enjoyed it.

Later, Scott and Jo came down and asked us, "did you enjoy that everyone?"

"YES!" we all yelled.

We started to walk back to the Benmore Centre. We all started to talk and talk about abseiling because it was so fun. I had had a great day. HA HA HA !

Caving And Ropes Course by Leo

On Thursday afternoon we met Morna in the big dining hall. She told us what we would need for going to the ropes course and about the course itself. We got our harnesses and other things on and set off.

When we reached the ropes, we set everything up. Then the group split up. One half got Morna the other got Shaun ( helper ) then Mrs Gallagher joined us; she took many photos.

At the bottom of the high ropes we secured our weight/friend and climbed up a slanted wooden log with foot holds on it. You needed to climb up this to get to the first platform. After that, there were dangling ropes hanging above a rope that you had to walk across. You needed to use the dangling ropes to help you balance. It was quite scary because as you grabbed a rope above you tilted to that side. Next you went up part of the ropes course to one long rope and you could only use one hand to cross it.

After that came the trapeze. Next up were me and Fedya. We climbed up the wobbly platform, took a deep breath, three two one and we leapt and grabbed for the trapeze. My heart was still racing but I managed to grab trapeze and hang there. That was terrifying because I am scared of heights and looking down I felt like I could see every individual stone on the ground. Everything down below looked so small because I was so high up.

As soon as we reached the bottom, we were rewarded with a cool cup of orange squash. Then we watched the rest of the group. When we all finished we took a few photos and went back.

Earlier that day, had met Morna to go caving. We got our waterproofs and jumped on the mini bus. When we reached the forest, we had to climb quite a bit. Flora fell over and hurt her knee.

As soon as we reached the cave the girls were complaining about who would go first. We finally got in the cave. We all turned our led head torches on and chatted about the routes in the cave.

Most of us took the wild way but others took the calm way. The wild way was small and twisty and the curvy path (the calm way) was the way we used to get up. The way we got up was a big hole that took one step to get through. Then the boys (apart from Matthew) were way ahead.

When we reached the mini bus we took all our water proofs off including the helmet. We then jumped in the mini bus and went back. When we got back we went straight to our dorms, well most of us. Me and Fedya belly flopped on our beds finally we could get a rest.

Freezing Gorge Walkings by Dylan

On Wednesday afternoon, we went gorge walking. I had been looking forward to gorge walking all day because I had never been gorge walking before and I had heard that you got wet and there was a slide at the top. We met our instructor called Morna in the dining hall so that she could tell us what to wear and when to meet again. She told us to wear: at least 5 layers clothes, our waterproofs and a helmet. She also told us to meet in the backyard.

After a while, we were all at back yard and then went on the mini bus to Puck's Glen.

When we arrived at Puck's Glen, we had to go through a graveyard. After that, we got to the gorge and Morna set us a challenge not to get wet until the slide. The gorge was rocky with a big stream running through the rocks. There were also logs, branches and rocks we had to step on and a big log which was slippy and we had to crawl across it to the other side. After that we continued to scramble along branches.

Soon we got to a rock and a tree shaped like a elephant. Then after that, we found a thin, long log that we had to walk across. The log was floating on water and if you fell in you would be freezing after being submerged in the cold water but we all made it across in the end.

After we climbed a bit more, we reached the keyhole! I took the route where you got soaked with water; that was really fun. When you got out of hole up into key hole you had to go through a tight bit with your back against one end and your feet on the other.

We then got to a massive slope which we had to climb up with a rope one by one. We climbed the side of the slope to get to middle by holding onto the rope. When we got to the top of the slope, we reached the slide. It was so fun! We got soaking wet and afterwards we weren't cold. The water in our boots got warm!

And then Morna told us to go along a path until we reached the second wooden bridge. When we got to it we were nearly at the bus and about five minutes later we were there. And then we were off again to Benmore. Wet but happy.

Friday, 20 February 2015

Toby's birthday and Group 1 Biking

Toby's Birthday, Group 1 Biking and getting ready for some water fun!

GROUP 2 (Scott) Biking!

Great session in the forest! Fast races, slow races, jumps, ramps, tracks, rolos, starburst, roads and a little bit of graceful dismounting!! :-)

Group 2 Explore and Group 3 Forest walk and Ropes

Hello everyone! I hope you have all had a wonderful week since returning from Benmore and have managed to get all those dirty socks cleaned!

I had some issues with my phone when we were away and was unable to upload photos so apologies for the lateness of these!

Thank you to everyone - P6's, staff and instructors for a brilliant week. I absolutely loved it and hope everyone else did too!

GROUP 2 (SCOTT) MONDAY EXPLORE

GROUP 3 (ANGELA) FOREST WALK and LOW/HIGH ROPES!

Thank You

Thank you from all of us to all of you for working with us to provide the children with such a memorable, beneficial residential trip together. It was a pleasure to escort the pupils and we thoroughly enjoyed their company. Primary Six pupils impressed with their 'can do' positive attitudes and excellent behaviour. They were also great fun! We hope you notice how well they can do household chores and keep their rooms tidy at home, because all scored very highly in daily dorm inspections! It was great to witness P6s make lasting bonds with each other, as well as with the staff.

The Sciennes staff also gave it their all and sustained the 24/5 duty by working very closely as a team. We took lots of photographs but always struggle with trying to get a signal and with very slow upload speeds. However, we hope you enjoyed the updates and we will continue to publish more photos here in due course. Thank you to Ms French who was particularly determined and resolute in her efforts to post to the blog.

Thank you to P6 teachers Ms French, Miss Stewardson and Mr Anthony for devoting their time, energy and above all care to their children, making sure all the pupils had the best possible experience. Miss Gaffney maintained Base Camp and enjoyed keeping up to date with all the adventures.

Ms Christie was her usual amazing self: high profile with all the groups day and night - as were all the staff. It was wonderful to have our P.E. Specialist Mrs Beth Walker accompany us and she is a tip top camper! Miss Inglis knows the year group extremely well, and we were fortunate to have her with us, particularly since she has previously been an Outdoor Education Instructor herself. Former P6B Class Teacher, Mr Barry Hewitt, is now City of Edinburgh Council Principal Teacher for Outdoor Learning and we were delighted he came for a few days to visit us. Grateful thanks to the entire team and also to the extended team back at Sciennes, particularly Mrs Noble, Ms Anstruther and Mrs Ellis who have an even busier week than usual without us. Mr Scott and Mr Reid also deserve a thank you for helping us get safely on and off the coaches.

We are indebted to all the magnificent staff at Benmore who go out of their way to make our stay with them as comfortable as it can possibly be, always going the extra mile to accommodate our needs, and for the great skill, expertise and dedication of the Instructors. We consider them not only trusted colleagues, but also our dear friends. After a full day's activities from 9am till 5pm, each Instructor spent additional time preparing individual comments written personally for each pupil for their JASS folders. All pupils who took part this week will also receive the 'Adventure' certificate; one quarter of the way towards full Bronze award accreditation, and a Benmore Certificate. Thank you to Instructor Thea for providing additional support to the groups and for bringing her nine two week old border collie puppies to show the children. Always a pleasure to see Ian Ross, who has overall responsibility for both Lagganlia and Benmore Centres, and a delight to meet Senior Benmore Instructor Graeme Adam's beautiful baby son, Noah.

Thank you to Mrs Tariq and Mrs Nowell and all the staff back at school who ensured that Lauri also had an enjoyable and interesting week. We were very sad that Clarys was unable to attend through illness and hope she is feeling better. We missed Nikolina, too, and hope she had a safe trip to Russia.

Thank you most sincerely to all the families who support us, not least of all financially, in providing what we believe to be an invaluable educational opportunity for our children.

We hope you have a wonderful holiday and we look forward to building on the success of the trip. Well done, Primary Six!
Ms Gallagher