Here is the final video that highlights the daily activities and challenges that students were involved in at Aberdovery – Day 4.

Before watching, please read the following…

As I sat down and opened a nice cold bottle of shandy at home on Friday night, my thoughts quickly drifted to what I had witnessed over the previous 4 days. I was moved beyond belief to see first hand how students and staff overcame the struggles that they faced each day, and how it brought them together in the face of adversity. Whether it was walking for 8 miles with heavy rucksacks, immersing themselves in freezing water, camping overnight, canoeing or climbing mountains, I experienced a togetherness that centred around the concept of Crew.

Parents: please ask your children the question ‘What is Crew?’

I guarantee that you will be amazed at what it is beginning to mean to your son or daughter. Ask them for examples of how students acted as Crew, and give them the opportunity to express how they supported others, and how too they were supported.

In the following video, I stumbled into two Y8 Crews and as per the videos for Days 1, 2 and 3 none of the student interviews were scripted. I simply asked them some questions and recorded them on my iPhone. All students responses are sincere and authentic.

I’d like to thank our highly dedicated and committed staff for helping to facilitate such a memorable experience. Overall however, I think you will agree that what took place in a small coastal village in Wales between August 28th to August 31st 2018 was something very special indeed.

JP

Day 3 video here everyone.

Morning parents, just a quick update.

As you can see from the video below, the environment surrounding the Outward Bound centre in Adberdovey is absolutely beautiful this morning. All is quiet and peaceful, and there have been no issues overnight. Students will have either woken up in their campsites or log cabins, and more activities are planned for today.

Stay tuned.

JP

Check out Day 2 everyone.

As you can imagine, it’s difficult to try and get 150 students into all of the photos and videos so apologies if your child hasn’t appeared yet. Nothing is planned, it’s simply point and shoot using my iPhone (or fly the DJI Spark drone somewhere).

All students are out on expedition and they are either camping out or staying in log cabins with Crews in areas around Aberdovey and beyond. I’m on call throughout the night and there have been no problems so far.

Enjoy!

Phew! Just edited the video in time for parents to have a quick look at what’s been going on.

Check out the video for Day 1.

If you didn’t know why we go to Wales on the first day – read this.

During their first week of the school year, the vast – vast majority of Y7 students across the country find out about their new school building, new teachers, new timetable and new rules etc. I’ll be honest. This kind of first week back is much easier than going to Outward Bound in Aberdovey, in Wales.

The old teacher in me often pauses:

Aberdovey is 5 hours away from home. We’re taking our Year 6 students to Wales on their very first day… what about the new school building, new teachers, new timetable, new rules?

The first week back used to be really easy. So why are we taking students on Outward Bound to Wales?

First of all, this is not about ‘team building’. The term itself does not reflect the power of the work that goes on there. As new parents might be aware, the concept of ‘Crew’ acts as the cornerstone of our work at school. It is called Crew because on a boat, passengers are catered to. Their main purpose is to arrive at the destination with as little effort as possible. They’re involved in activities, but not fully engaged in the journey. Crew, on the other hand, are responsible for the entire journey. They are engrossed in the activities of the ship. In fact without their individual and collaborative effort, the passage cannot happen. Crew reach the same destination as their passengers but the experience is significantly richer.

Crew is our way of ensuring that we help our students to be the very best that they can be – to help to change the world no matter how small or large the action may be. In order to fulfil our potential (whether you’re 11 years old or a 39 going on 40 year old Head of school) we need the support of others around us. Frances Moore Lappe once wrote:

‘I believe that it is almost impossible for people to change alone. We need to join with others who will push us in our thinking and challenge us to do things we didn’t believe ourselves capable of.’

During Outward Bound, students will be outside of their familiar zones; there is no doubt about this.

However, they will be joining a Crew (facilitated by our staff and OB’s staff) where students will form incredible bonds of trust, support, challenge and maybe eventually even love for one another. They will engage in experiences that will be hard. It’s not just about getting themselves to the top of the mountain (both metaphorically and literally speaking) but also about helping others, and allowing others to help you in order to get there. This is our common mission.

The concept of Crew undoubtedly exists across Year 8, and it is the most incredible thing that I have ever experienced in education. Students support each other, and indeed are supported, throughout very challenging events in school. The notion of being out of their familiar zones will continue over the next 5 and 7 years, and it will be Outward Bound in Aberdovey that will help to build the invisible threads that will circle around them.

So, the first week back is normally easy.

For some reason, I’d much rather have the first week like this one!

Useful links:
Important reminders
Kit list reminder

The awe-inspiring XP video from Aberdovey as recently shown to parents:

XP_TEASER_FINAL from Gwyn ap Harri on Vimeo.

I was delighted to welcome our new students to XP East yesterday. There was no doubt about it, this was a memorable first step in what will be an incredible journey for the new members of our family.

This brief video shows some of the activities that they were involved in and provides a brief glimpse into the transition day itself. Our staff thoroughly enjoyed spending the day with them, and we can’t wait for the new school year to begin.

Thank you to all involved, and we will see you on Tuesday 28th August at 7am for the Outward Bound residential to Aberdovey, Wales.