The King's School, Eastleigh, Hampshire: Our Primary School Activity Weeks

Making memories and having fun

Activity week is an important part of the school curriculum. In addition to having fun, cultivating great friendships and making enduring memories, many important life skills are learned.

Our residential Activity Week takes place in the Summer Term and provides many opportunities for children to experience new challenges and develop different skills in a range of activities.

We use local activity centres such as Foxlease or Fairthorne Manor for Years 3 and 4 and Avon Tyrell or Marwell Activity Centre for Years 5 and 6. Students may participate in activities such as archery, fencing, orienteering and pond dipping for the younger ones, while older students embrace such challenges as the high wire course, kayaking, giant swing, quad biking and zip wires. These weeks are often the highlight of the year and are reflected on with great fondness by our Year 11 students when they leave.

Activity Weeks are important for many reasons

Deepening relationships with God and each other
Developing character in facing new challenges
Developing independence

During this time we want to see the children learning a respect for the environment which God has created; developing love and respect for one another; and growing in understanding of how to love and respect ourselves.

The challenges the children will face are many and varied and will include such things as:

Personal discipline and decision making
Responsibility for personal belongings
Taking part in duties (with adult supervision)
Teamwork
Using initiative and gaining confidence
Developing an awareness of what needs to be done and how to do it
Contributing to the needs of their team with sensitivity and forethought

Our aim is to develop students’ ability to work in teams and to encourage independence and confidence in preparation for adult life. It is during these times that students often grow spiritually probably because the absence of their normal domestic routines causes them to reflect and to listen more closely to God’s prompting.