What a day! Again, we have been so blessed and thankful for the beautiful change in weather. We started the day with breakfast: the children have become adept at carrying bowls of coco pops that are absolutely full to the brim across a crowded dining room (you would not be able to fit a single extra rice puff in there), whilst some of them are beginning to look like a hash brown.  Be prepared for the return of children no longer satisfied with a bowl of cornflakes and a piece of toast!  You may also need to be prepared for a endless loop of repeat after me songs (sing louder, louder, louder)!  

After breakfast, we took part in archery or problem solving and then we all headed down to the water to go dragon boating.  We filled three boats and rowed in a series of races (actually "we" is a bit misleading - the teachers watched from the side!) getting faster each time.  Mr. Ratcliffe took the opportunity to check for fish despite having neither rod nor bait with him.. Then we were back on dry land for lunch and a second visit to the shop.  This afternoon, we have played laser tag (Lailah did not stop grinning for the entirety of the game) and chased each other around the trees, while trying to win the contest.  Miss Morris was on hand to give tactical tips for the battle.   Vertical challenge or zip wire finished our activities for today - both horrendous wedgie creators!  In vertical challenge the children also control the ascent of their friends with the ropes, so a real team effort is needed and they absolutely excelled at this, despite having sore palms by the end. The children are now dab hands at putting on a harness and undoing a carabiner - not so great at remembering a hat and a water bottle first time round but what are doors for if not to unlock them again and again and again!?!  We will feel lost next week without a huge ring of keys and an ever-changing line of children.

After dinner, (in which cucumber reappeared as a drink decoration!), we played a game of passport around the world and worked in teams to find flags in all corners of the site.  We think that lights out may be even earlier tonight (and tomorrow it may be about ten minutes after you getting them home!)

The midges have been out in force today and we are all a little bitten.  Between us, we have a few bumps, scrapes and bruises (Nathan's bump on his funny bone made him giggle through his sore knee) and we have definitely all caught the sun, but we have had such a great time and every day, the children have challenged themselves to climb a bit higher or jump longer or eat something new or learn a new skill.  They have been an absolute credit to you and the school.

Tomorrow is our final morning and then we will be on our way home.  We are all looking forward to seeing you!  

We have even more photos and videos than the ones posted already, so will share these and the photos of our last morning next week.  In the meantime, thank you to you for making sure your children brought the right clothing, gear, manners and attitudes.  And thank you SO much to the 2024 IoW staff team for being fantastic and allowing the children to have such a fantastic week.