Colyton Grammar School’s Inaugural Belonging Week

News - Jul 16

This year at Colyton Grammar School, we launched our inaugural Belonging Week which saw students in Years 7,9 and 12 take part in a number of different activities ranging from surfing to woodwork whilst students in Year 8 took part in their own residential at The Mendip Activity Centre.  

Year 10 students were on work experience and the feedback that we have received from placements has been incredibly positive so very well done to all the students in this year group.  

Years 7 and 9 students started their week with the School Walk, completing a 10-kilometre loop around the local countryside. This was followed by house rounders, whilst Year 12 students took part in a Model United Nations Day. Over the three days, students embarked on their themed activities which included Aquatics, Challenge Devon, Adventurer, Thespian, The Mix, Welcome to Hogwarts, Adrenaline, Service Plus and Earth Scientist. We finished the week with our Year 9 students taking part in a STEAM day whilst Year 7 completed several exciting challenges in their houses where they could earn points and prizes. Both events were supported by our Year 12 students who led on a number of these activities.  

We have received so many positive messages from both parents and students about the week, but the comment that we are perhaps most proud of is that “Belonging Week has not only changed my son, but also our household. He has made new friends, tried new activities, and has a buzz about him that he just hasn’t had before”. We will always look to improve things for next year, as we do with everything, but as a starting point, the positivity, feeling of happiness, and fundamentally, the sense of belonging, confirms that we achieved what we were hoping for.  

We are incredibly grateful to Mrs Lea and Mr B Rowe for leading on Belonging Week this year, and indeed to all our colleagues who gave up their time and energy to provide students with these memorable experiences. We look forward to Belonging Week 2025.