The Upper Sixth and the new Lower Sixth Formers went on a visit to Hatfield Water park to get to know each other better.
We were all wondering what the teachers had set us up for. The morning’s task was one of two: climbing up a sort of vertical obstacle course, or doing a 'leap of faith'. The obstacle course involved first climbing up some logs, which were then attached to wooden ladders, which then lead onto a thick rope netting. This then ended with a tyre at the top, which we had to either sit on, or stand up and be challenged to do a dance.
I have a fear of heights, so I was very nervous, and when it was my turn to get to the top of the course I couldn’t finish it – I just about made to the top of the netting. I couldn’t look down to save my life! Other people were just so fearless though, some even did it blindfolded, and were then told to lean right forward when they’d got to the top! When we had enough time before lunch, we swapped activities and my group went to try out the Leap of Faith. I say ‘My Group’ and not ‘Me’ because I missed out this one! I knew I couldn’t man it when I’d failed completely on the last task!
After lunch the instructors divided us up into 4 groups, and colours. We then got a canoe of that colour and a map with different points on it. The points were places where anagrammed clues could be found, which added up to where we’d find a key, to take us around the lake again for another set of clues, to find our treasure. The instructors were in their speed boats and circling round us all, trying to create waves to wet us and overflow into the canoes! Needless to say, we were all absolutely soaking - not without help from everyone splashing each other as they went past each other. It was really funny, and actually quite satisfying to hit someone square in the face with a paddle load of water. My team finished last – the wind kept picking us up and making us drift the wrong way. Not that I’m trying to make up excuses or anything!
Rebecca Atkinson
Upper Sixth