Belonging Week 2025

News - Jul 18

As we approach the end of the busy Summer Term, we celebrate the success of our second annual Belonging Week where students enjoyed making memories outside of the classroom with new experiences and exciting opportunities for students in Years 7,8,9,10 and 12.  

From animal lovers and sports fans to adrenaline thrill seekers and budding biologists, Belonging Week had something for everyone, and we are thrilled to report that the trips were a great triumph.  

Please find a summary of the busy and exciting week below:  

Students participating in our ‘The Sporty One’ group had the opportunity to visit The Devon Activity Centre on the Escot Estate where they played Foot Golf, experienced the excitement of Laser Tag, and tackled the muddy assault course, all in beautiful sunny weather. For the Adrenaline group, it was all about speed and fun competition as they experienced the thrill of Go Kart Racing at RaceWorld.  

For the Animal Lovers, it was day trips to Paignton Zoo, Dartmoor Zoo, the National Marine Aquarium and the Donkey Sanctuary that delighted with the opportunity to see, and sometimes get up close too, some wonderful creatures. We could have some budding zookeepers or veterinarians among this group, with a few already talking of organising work experience at the Donkey Sanctuary.  

Budding Year 7 journalist, Martha P, from our Press Pack group put together this piece about the Animal Lover Group’s visit to the National Marine Aquarium.  

‘Colyton Grammar School offers a unique and exciting opportunity for students to explore the wonders of marine life through their Aquarium Programme. This initiative provides an engaging platform for students to dive into hands-on learning experiences, where they can observe, study, and care for a diverse range of aquatic species. The program not only enriches the students’ understanding of marine biology and ecology but also nurtures a sense of responsibility and environmental stewardship. Through interactive sessions, workshops, and projects, students can cultivate skills in scientific research and conservation, all whilst fostering a deep appreciation for the delicate ecosystems that thrive beneath the water’s surface. Whether you’re a budding marine biologist or simply curious about the ocean’s mysteries, the Aquarium opportunities at Colyton Grammar School promise an enriching journey into the aquatic world.’ 

The Choir Tour was a shining success for the music department, with students having the opportunity to perform at Tewkesbury Abbey, Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral and the Anglican Cathedral and take in a show at The Royal Exchange Theatre.  

For our Year 12 biologists, it was a trip to the Millport Marine Field Station on the Isle of Cumbrae in Scotland that both entertained and inspired. Students studied marine biology, including microscopic studies as they carried out plankton trawls and investigated zonation on the rocky shore, looking at how species are adapted to the harshest of tidal ecosystems.  

The Press Pack group enjoyed an exciting day trip to the BBC Cymru Studios in Cardiff, the second largest news studio in the country. They were given a tour of the futuristic studios, learning how the BBC broadcast their radio and television shows every day.  

‘We got to try being weather presenters and were intrigued by the behind-the-scenes action of this major news network. We also saw first-hand how augmented reality can be utilized in the news industry and were surprised by BBC Cymru’s extensive use of incredible technology. We were also shown the ancient records of the Radio Times, which have been catalogued since 1923 – more than 100 years ago! We also had the chance to take part in greenscreen activity, reading the news from a quickly moving script. An unforgettable experience – we won’t be able to watch the news in the same way again!’ – produced by Art and Rufus.  

For the Year 8 students, it was a week long residential at the Mendip Activity Centre, where they experienced abseiling, canoeing, archery, rock climbing and team building activities alongside multiple muddy assault courses in glorious sunny weather. Closer to home, The Devon Explorer group enjoyed games of bowling at TenPin in Exeter.  

Our Mandarin Excellence Programme students had the incredible opportunity to travel to Chengdu in China, where they could truly engross themselves into the local culture, visiting landmarks, experiencing traditions and trying exciting new foods. They tried out many traditional art forms such as stone rubbing, shadow puppetry, the making of rice paper, calligraphy, paper cutting and the making of lacquered flags, alongside joining in with a Dragon dance. They also visited museums and saw landmarks such as the People’s Park and the Leshan Buddha, an UNESCO site.  

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff members who put together and organised all these trips and opportunities and those who accompanied the students throughout and thank the students themselves for their exemplary behaviour all week long. We look forward now to Belonging Week 2026!