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East Dene Day 3

Thu 14 Mar 2019 S.Deery

Good evening all,

We have just this minute finished our final day of activities – now a few tired faces are preparing themselves for dinner. Another fantastic day with so many wonderful activities and, despite the early thunderous rain and high winds, it has brightened into a lovely evening ensuring the excitement for the campfire evening will be rewarded.

After our brilliant ‘Murder Mystery’ evening (picture of staff can be seen below) the children settled swiftly for bed ensuring another excellent night. All staff have been so impressed with the children at night times, which really is the hallmark of a great residential trip.

A host of exciting activities today, with more rock pooling, den building, team building and smuggling activities dominating. 4AD battled the weather to make it down to the beach safely and were certainly rewarded, with a range of wildlife caught. All this whilst 4SD took on the role of local smugglers, bringing contraband onto the shores of the island.

What has been an excellent week is now coming close to its end. The children have been fantastic and a real credit to themselves, their families and Anton Junior School. Despite this, and I know I might be biased, the staff when attending these trips are simply incredible. From the moment we leave, to the moment we return, the entire team is responsible for everyone here with us. Every single moment of thinking is to ensure the children remain safe, which means keeping one eye open when sleeping just in case the dreaded knock occurs. Yet even when it does, the children are greeted with a smile (even when it is unlikely the smile goes much deeper than the surface). Not only this, but then to smile, laugh and have fun with all the children throughout the day, to guarantee they have the best time possible, is nothing short of exceptional. I feel honoured to come away with such outstanding individuals and I could not imagine a better team to take your children through this journey.

The excitement (with a twinge of sadness) is beginning in preparation for our return journey tomorrow. I know there will be a plethora of enormous smiles on display for you all, even if they do spend their evenings asleep. I know that the staff will be heading for an early night!

Thank you for reading, and see you tomorrow J

Quick Note: We will ensure that we keep in contact with the school office so they can inform you all with an approximate arrival time tomorrow.

East Dene Day 2 - continued

Wed 13 Mar 2019 S.Deery

East Dene Day 2

Wed 13 Mar 2019 S.Deery

Good evening all,

After arriving in the eye of Storm Gareth yesterday, the weather has transformed into a glorious first full day allowing us to spend it exploring and enjoying the surroundings of this incredible site. Excitedly, we ditched the waterproofs for layers, a much appreciated change.

For a year 4 residential trip, we had a fantastic first night. Having been exhausted by the evening activity, the children settled in for a story read by Mr Dockree before heading up to their rooms to get a well-earned rest. It meant for an excellent night’s sleep for children and adults alike.

After filling up on a hearty breakfast, we headed out for our first activities of the day, navigation and fire building for some, and rock pooling for others. Safe to say that rock pooling has become an early highlight of the trip for all. There were crabs, fish, prawns, enemies and many other marine wildlife. Once examined, they were safely returned to the sea (the wildlife, not the children).

Afternoon activities consisted of den designing and smuggler challenges. The Isle of Wight has a long history of smuggling, with the East Dene building at the centre of this. Therefore, the children were given the opportunity to experience what it was like and loved taking on this role. With many shining in the role, please contact us if anyone would like us to keep their children here to take up the role full time.

Dinner will be a highlight of the evening with many tasty options available. Following this, the ‘Murder Mystery’ activity this evening is an event that goes down in Anton folklore. The staff take on the role of many wild and wonderful characters ready to be interrogated by the children. You know what they say, people that can’t act, teach… and it will never be more accurate than the performances turned out this evening. The Oscars will no doubt be safe for another year.

I am confident the children will settle even quicker having been busy all day and ready to get their heads down before another day of excitement begins bright and early tomorrow.

Enjoy your evening J

East Dene - Day 1

Tue 12 Mar 2019 S.Deery

Good evening from the wonderful Isle of Wight!

Our exciting first day is coming to a close and there have been many highlights along the way.

The excitement of the ferry was visible after a smooth journey on the bus. Cheers erupted on the coach when the ferry came into sight at Southampton docks. Despite some very high winds, the journey was relatively calm and smooth, with most chatting and playing games the entire way. All represented Anton in the manner we would have expected, a great start!

After a short journey on the island, we arrived at our destination of East Dene. At this stage, Storm Gareth was at its peak (not that the children were fazed, just the poor staff!) However, the moment we stepped out into the abyss for our afternoon activities, the skies turned blue and the clouds vanished. What a result!

A visit to the beautiful beach and an afternoon of pirate based activities ensured that smiles continued to plaster the faces of everyone. After Mr Humberstone asking what time dinner was about ten times, fantastic food finally filled everyone’s belly’s, with delicious pudding to top the meal off.

We are looking forward to the evening activity of Fizzical Fun – everyone will be ready for bed after that! We look forward to a brilliant day tomorrow, including some rock pooling and all children becoming ‘smugglers’.

Speak tomorrow J