Educational, exciting and fun-filled day for Year 5

Teambuilding was the order of the day for the King’s St Alban’s Year 5s in an educational, exciting and fun-filled session at Lakeside on Tuesday. Historically, teamwork has proved a tremendously effective way of ensuring our year groups bond together successfully, giving them the best possible boost on their journey through King’s.

Pupils old and new to Year 5 had a chance to mix, to strike up friendships and to work thoughtfully together to problem-solve. Activities included a variety of team challenges; one intriguing problem involved the children lifting a ‘bomb’ out of a circle which they could not enter, with only a small set of ropes to assist them. It was fascinating to watch the children’s progress, from the initial discussion, argument and trial and error, to the refinement and finally the joyous mastery of the means of removing the ‘bomb’. “It was pretty intense at times; we all wanted to solve the problem and win the day. It was awesome fun,” commented one of the cohort.

Bushcraft followed, building shelters using branches, some string, rope and tarpaulins. This too took some thought and cooperation, but gradually the children pieced together dens which had at least some hope of sheltering them from the rain which threatened but never quite delivered. The final activity was learning to control sparred canoes. Those who paddled in closest harmony tended to win the day, chasing a ball and dunking it into the instructors’ boats. “My feet got a bit wet but at least I didn’t fall in this time; I don’t think anyone did on this occasion…maybe next time,” said one of the group.

Lakeside proved a most enjoyable, entertaining and helpful group-bonding session. Well done, Year 5!