Belonging Week

News - Jul 16

For the third consecutive year, Belonging Week proved to be one of the highlights of the school calendar, offering students a wealth of opportunities to learn, explore, challenge themselves and, most importantly, strengthen their sense of belonging within our school community.

Built around our school virtues of Humility, Service and Scholarship, the week provided students in Years 7, 8, 9 and 12 with memorable experiences that extended far beyond the classroom. Whether travelling overseas, taking part in outdoor adventures, developing new skills or simply spending time with peers in a different setting, students embraced every opportunity with enthusiasm and maturity.

This year's programme was packed with exciting activities. Students headed to the coast for surfing in Devon and Cornwall, where many stood on a surfboard for the first time, showing resilience as they tackled the waves and encouraged one another. Others experienced the exhilaration of coasteering, scrambling across rocks, jumping into the sea and overcoming personal fears in a safe and supportive environment.

For those seeking adventure, the Three Peaks Challenge tested both physical and mental endurance, while go-karting, theme parks and water parks provided plenty of excitement, laughter and unforgettable moments. Many students also enjoyed educational visits to zoos, learning more about conservation and wildlife from around the world.

Further afield, students immersed themselves in the culture and history of Rome and Paris, exploring some of Europe's most iconic landmarks. At the time of writing, groups are still enjoying incredible experiences in China and Morocco, and we look forward to hearing all about their adventures when they return.

Back on campus and closer to home, students took part in a range of engaging activities including board games, design and make projects, rocket building and launching, and a variety of local excursions. These activities encouraged teamwork, creativity, problem-solving and communication; while helping students forge new friendships with peers, they may not usually spend time with during the normal school day.

One of the standout moments of the week was the Year 8 residential, which once again provided a fantastic opportunity for students to develop greater independence, confidence and resilience. From scaling heights in the quarry, swimming in mud, working as a team, overcoming fears and celebrating an England win around a radio over dinner, Year 8 did it all with humour and camaraderie. Our group leader, Dan, told us that he asks to be put with the Colyton group each year because of the way the students behave towards each other, and all of the staff on the trip saw so many examples of the school's values of humility and service that it would be impossible to list them all. We were very proud of the strengths and bonds the students have developed over the week. Through shared experiences and challenges, they have returned with stronger friendships and memories that will last for years to come.

Throughout the week, students consistently demonstrated a willingness to step outside their comfort zones and embrace new opportunities. Whether climbing mountains, travelling abroad, navigating the sea, launching rockets or simply trying something unfamiliar, they approached each experience with positivity and determination.

Reflecting on the week, one Year 7 student said:

"I was nervous at the start because I didn't know many people in my group, but by the end of the week I had made lots of new friends. It was one of the best weeks I've had at school."

A Year 12 student commented:

"The coasteering trip pushed me further than I've ever pushed myself before. Jumping into the water was scary at first, but once I'd done it I felt really proud."

Meanwhile, a Year 9 student shared:

"Belonging Week is a reminder that school is about much more than lessons and exams. The experiences we've had and the people we've met have made the week really special."

Another student returning from the Aquatics trip added:

"Every time I fell off my board I wanted to get back on and try again. It taught me not to give up, and by the end I was actually surfing!"

What makes Belonging Week so special is that every student experiences it differently. Some discover a new passion, some make new friends, some develop confidence and independence, and others simply create memories that they will cherish long after they leave school. Together, these experiences form an important part of a truly holistic education, helping students grow not only academically, but also socially, emotionally and personally.

The week concluded with our traditional 10km whole-school walk on Friday, bringing students and staff together for a final shared experience and a fitting end to another exceptional week.

We would like to thank all the staff who organised and led activities, as well as the students who threw themselves wholeheartedly into every opportunity. Belonging Week continues to be a wonderful celebration of our community, and after another hugely successful year, we are already looking forward to what next year's adventures will bring. I would particularly like to thank Mr Rowe, Mrs Lea and Miss Salter for their coordination of such an incredible week.