Osborne School Trip to Wales 2016
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On Monday the 9th May students from year 9, 10 and Post 16 left Osborne to embark on an outward bound residential trip to The Hampshire Mountain Centre, Libanas in the Brecon Beacons.
When we arrived we unpacked our luggage and set out to get our kit. Each student and member of staff was issued with wet weather gear and 
walking boots (and boy would we
need it!) we each had a number and it was our responsibility to look after our kit. After dinner we walked up, in the misty atmosphere, to the common nearby. We decided to test out our wet weather kits by splashing in all the puddles! After a long journey and a busy evening it was time for bed.
The students and staff were split into 4 groups. Over the course of the week each group participated in mountain walking, canoeing, abseiling and rock climbing. The weather on Tuesday was certainly damp and the students showed great resilience as they walked, canoed and climbed in their various groups, going much further than they thought they would go. The students surprised themselves and helped each other to achieve. Although soaked to the skin, it was a great day. Tuesday evening was team building games and spaghetti bolognaise for tea.
Wednesday’s weather was much drier, and although still damp we donned our wet weather gear for another day in the beautiful outdoors of the Brecons. The students made their own lunches and went off to their activities. Everyone was having a great time. Some students were trying out activities they had never done before, others going further than they had done previously and everyone managed to keep hold of their kit! In the evening it was curry for dinner followed by another lovely (dry!) walk up to the common before bed.
Thursday the Brecons finally got the message we were coming! The weather was glorious! 
So lovely that some groups didn’t need their wet weather kits! Again the students achieved more than they believed- group 1 walked from the bottom of Pen y Fan right to the summit. The view had now turned from a misty haze to rolling green hills and mountains. Everyone enjoyed their climbing, walking and canoeing, some students climbing half way up the rocks when last year they had only just got their feet off the floor. Some groups walked to waterfalls and along the river side. It was another fantastic day full of personal achievements. Thursday night was fish and chips from the chip shop…but not before packing our belonging and returning our kits. Osborne did themselves proud again by cleaning, scrubbing and returning a full house of kit! The packing wasn’t that bad either! There was a buzz in the dining room as the students discussed the week ‘ I want to come back again’ ‘I love Wales’ ‘I am looking forward to seeing my family, but I have had a great time’.’ We all tucked into our fish and chips, happy and tired after a very busy week.
Osborne, yet again you did yourself proud and built on a number of key skills including resilience, confidence and leadership. You should be very proud of yourselves. Until next time Hampshire Mountain Centre….
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