Tag: PGL 2016

We’re home

Hopefully, the children are tucked up in their own beds and are getting a decent night’s sleep. PGL 2016 was a brilliant weekend for all involved and I hope that the children will remember it for a long time to come. I will be uploading pictures of the 4 days (now that we’re back in the land of a decent wireless signal!) so you can see what your children got up to. Thank you to all the children and staff for such an entertaining weekend!

Campfire + marshmallows = yummy!

The last evening at PGL closed with a singsong around the campfire as the sun set for the day. We all found the perfect marshmallow toasting stick (a twig) and loaded it with pink and white treats. We all enjoyed our toasted delight and some even had seconds! I think that campfire should become the tradition of PGL trips for Minchinhampton as it is such a perfect ending to a fabulous weekend.

Raft building = wet children and teachers!

Every year raft building is one of the activities everyone looks forward to. Unfortunately, the past few years have brought cold and dreary weather along with the activity. Luckily, this year we had one of the most beautiful sunny days which put everyone in good spirits. I’ve seen this activity taught in so many way, but this year’s was the most successful. Not a single child sat on the side and missed out on any bit of the action and at one point we were all in the lake laughing and splashing around. A few children decided to push the teachers in the lake so obviously we had to get revenge! All children and staff ended the day wet from head to toe! Showers will definitely be needed!!

Day 1 review

Wow, what a busy first day for us all. As I said earlier, it was an early morning start for most. After a cooked breakfast we headed off in our groups to our different activities. We had a special visitor in the shape of Mr Moss. Team Hashtag Epic and Team Pegasus (otherwise known as Miss Whitehead’s and Mrs Hough’s groups) made their way over to Vertical Challenge and the Assault course. Lots of proud smiling children by the end of the morning as they’d all set a goal for themselves that they achieved. While they were busy climbing up tyres, rope ladders, climbing walls and netting, Teams Pamplemousse and Undefeatables (Mr Ricketts and Mrs Bond) were swinging through the tree tops like Tarzan on the Tree Trail Study. With the morning sessions completed, we headed off to lunch and refuelled for the afternoon. Mr Ricketts and Mrs Bond took their groups to the Vertical Challenge and Assault course. Mrs Hough’s and Miss Whitehead’s groups abseiled and built a tower of crates. Tea time offered lots of choices – Thai curry, lamb casserole or chicken goujons- and was scrambled down by each one of us! The day finished with lots of team games and very tired children. Most rooms were asleep by 10, with just one or two wanting to stay up that little bit longer. A great start to the weekend. Fingers crossed for another sunny day tomorrow where they will all get slightly wet raft building.

Still unable to load pictures, but don’t worry, we’ve taken quite a few!

We’ve arrived!

Morning! First night done for PGL 2016 group. A few children struggled to get to sleep as they couldn’t stop talking! Apart from that, a good first night. When we arrived, the children had 15 minutes to unpack and then off they went on a tour of the grounds. Much fun had playing chaos tag and then it was off to tea. Every plate was loaded with food – lasagna or paella or fish and chips – no one went hungry! Next was Wacky Races. The children had to act like models on a catwalk one minute and then be a secret spy the next; some interesting results!

Bedtime arrived and most rooms managed to nod off. However one or two rooms felt like they just needed to stay up that little bit longer and have a good old chat!

As I write this, a few rooms are already washed and dressed for the day and it’s not even 6am!

Lots of fun planned today and we hope to have some pictures on the blog this evening. Please be aware that the signal is not the best and we were unable to load any last night. Fingers crossed that they load up today!

PGL reminders for Friday 6th May

In a few days we set off for our fun filled weekend! We just wanted to answer a few queries we received today:

  • Please bring all luggage into the music room between 8.35am and 8.45am – members of staff will be there to ‘check’ your child and their belongings in
  • Please make sure that all medicines are handed to a member of staff with the correct paperwork filled in
  • Any pocket money (up to £5) to be in a named wallet/purse and handed in
  • If your child is having a packed lunch, please send it in a plastic bag (NO LUNCHBOXES)
  • Y4 children to wear ‘normal’ clothes – no school uniform
  • No need for book bags, but any homework that is due in on Friday must be brought in
  • We will be leaving at 2:40pm so if you would like to say goodbye to your child, please make sure you are by the bottom playground for this time – we will not wait around for late arrivals. Alternatively, you can say goodbye to your child in the morning when you drop them off with their luggage.

TRAVEL SICKNESS

If your child suffers with this, please notify the staff on Friday morning and make sure to send in the relevant treatment(s) for both journeys.

PGL KIT LIST

PGL KIT LIST 2016 – Please name items so it’s easier for them to realise what belongs to them!

  • Suitable nightwear (dressing gown too if they have one)
  • Underwear (please note that for many activities, socks will need to cover ankles. It is also worth putting in spares just in case)
  • Trousers/leggings/tracksuit bottoms for activities (Not jeans)
  • Shorts (summer weather)
  • 1 pair of trainers for activities
  • 1 pair of shoes/trainers for water activities (preferably old so you’re not worried about the state they are returned in!)
  • Pair of dry shoes/trainers for evening activities
  • Fleeces/jumpers/sweatshirts for activities (2/3)
  • Long sleeved shirts/t-shirts (for activities where arms need to be covered completely)
  • T-shirts
  • Waterproof jacket/cagoule (and trousers if you have them)
  • Warm anorak or similar
  • Gloves/hat/sun hat (depending on weather)
  • Comfortable clothes for evening (jeans/t-shirts/leggings/tops)

OTHER ITEMS

    • Towel for showering
    • Old towel for water activities
    • Plastic drink bottle named
    • Wash kit – soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste etc.
    • Sunscreen
    • Small rucksack to carry drink and snack during the day
    • Labelled bin bag/plastic bag for dirty clothing and wet clothing
  • Sleeping bag/duvet and pillow
  • Medication bag(s) clearly labeled with all forms filled in correctly
  • Purse with pocket money NO MORE THAN £5 IN COINS

A few PGL reminders

We hope you found the PGL information meeting useful and that we were able to answer your questions. Based on the queries that popped up, we have listed a few reminders below to be aware of:

  • Your child will need to have a small rucksack for them to carry spare kit and their water bottle each day
  • A named water bottle will be needed
  • A named wallet/purse with up to £5 in coins please – to be handed to a member of staff Friday (6th May) morning
  • All medicines to be in individual named plastic bags with relevant paperwork filled in – to be handed to a member of staff Friday (6th May) morning
  • We will be leaving at 2:45pm on Friday 6th May
  • We will be back by 3:15pm on Monday 9th May
  • Sleeping bag/duvet and pillow – make it as easy as possible for them to carry
  • NO cameras, IPods, IPads or any form of electrical games
  • Your child may bring a book, travel board game, pack of cards, notepad etc. for the journey – put it in their rucksack

Year 4s – There will be two competitions running over the weekend:

  • Tidiest room – will your room be spotless no matter what time of day?
  • Coolest teddy bear – can you convince us that your teddy deserves to win this prize?