Primary 7 Barcaple Residential – Day One Highlights

What a fantastic first day our Primary 7s have had at Barcaple! From the moment they set off this morning to lights out tonight, the children have been full of excitement, laughter, and adventure.

The day started bright and early as our P7s left for Barcaple at 9:30am, buzzing with anticipation. The bus journey was full of chatter and smiles as they enjoyed spending time with friends on the way to what promises to be a trip full of unforgettable memories.

Once they arrived, the children spent some time settling in. They kicked things off with fun in the games room , followed by a quick packed lunch in the dining room. Afterwards, there was plenty of excitement as they explored their rooms and got ready for the first big activities of the day.

The afternoon brought action and adventure for everyone. The boys headed off for a forest adventure , taking on challenges during a walk deep into the woods. There was plenty of fun (and mud!) as they worked together and showed great teamwork.

Meanwhile, the girls started their afternoon tackling the climbing wall . They learned how to traverse the wall, climbed higher with harnesses, and showed great determination as they pushed themselves before abseiling back down. After the climbing challenge, it was time for orienteering . The girls split into groups by school—St. Joseph’s and Portpatrick—and raced to find as many locations as possible. It was a close competition, with the Portpatrick girls winning by just one point, but everyone had a brilliant time exploring and running around.

It’s been fantastic to see how well the pupils from St. Joseph’s and Portpatrick have joined together as one group . The partnership between the schools has been a real highlight, with children supporting one another, working as a team, and building new friendships. They’ve set a brilliant example for both schools with their excellent behaviour, positive attitudes, and kindness towards one another.

After all that activity, the children returned to their rooms to get cleaned up and ready for dinner . They also had some free time to relax in their rooms or return to the games room.

Dinner was a well-earned treat. Tonight’s options included chilli con carne with rice or vegetable lasagne, both served with a side of vegetables. For those who wanted something simpler, there was always toast on offer. The star of the meal, however, was the Oreo cheesecake for dessert—a big hit with everyone!

After dinner, it was time for Explore. During this session, the children enjoyed some reflection time and played games with pupils from the other school. One of the highlights of Explore was acting out a parable, where the children learned an important lesson about conquering their fears .

The evening didn’t end there! After Explore, our P7s joined the other school for a game of indoor hockey , which proved to be wild and full of energy. There was no shortage of competitive spirit and laughter as the children ran, played, and had a great time together.

To finish off a brilliant first day, the children enjoyed a supper of cake and juice before heading off for some final free time in the games room or relaxing in their rooms. Lights out is at 10pm, and after such a busy day, we’re sure everyone will get a good night’s sleep, ready for more adventures tomorrow.

We’re so proud of how well all the children have settled in, challenged themselves, and represented their schools so well. They’ve made a fantastic start to the trip—what a great first day at Barcaple!

UNCRC Rights Covered:

Article 15: Right to meet with friends and join groups and clubs (working with another school and group activities).
Article 29: Right to education that develops talents and abilities (challenging activities like climbing, orienteering, and forest adventures).
Article 31: Right to rest, play, and leisure (games room, free time, and evening games).
Article 12: Right to express views and be listened to (reflection during Explore session and group discussions).
Article 24: Right to good health and well-being (engaging in physical activities and outdoor exploration).

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Linked:

Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being (active outdoor experiences and promoting physical health).
Goal 4: Quality Education (learning new skills, building confidence, and exploring nature).
Goal 5: Gender Equality (equal opportunities for all pupils in challenging activities).
Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities (inclusion and partnership work between the two schools).
Goal 15: Life on Land (outdoor learning and exploring the natural environment).
Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals (collaborative work between St. Joseph’s and Portpatrick).

Meta-Skills:

Self-Management:

Focusing (staying engaged during activities).
Integrity (demonstrating positive behaviour and respect).
Adapting (responding to new challenges like climbing and orienteering).
Initiative (taking part actively and enthusiastically in all aspects of the trip).

Social Intelligence:

Communicating (working with peers from both schools).
Feeling (supporting others during reflection and group work).
Collaborating (teamwork during orienteering and games).
Leading (taking initiative in group challenges).

Innovation:

Curiosity (exploring the natural environment and new experiences).
Creativity (acting out a parable and problem-solving during challenges).
Sense-Making (understanding lessons about conquering fears).
Critical Thinking (strategising during orienteering tasks).

SHANARRI Indicators:

Safe: Supervised activities with safety measures during climbing and forest adventures.
Healthy: Participation in physical activities promoting fitness and well-being.
Achieving: Developing new skills, overcoming fears, and achieving personal goals.
Nurtured: Supportive environment fostering friendships and collaboration.
Active: Engaged in a variety of physical and outdoor activities.
Respected: Opportunities to share opinions and be heard during reflection sessions.
Responsible: Taking responsibility for behaviour, belongings, and teamwork.
Included: Strong partnership between schools ensuring everyone feels part of the group.

Strands of Faith:

Mystery of God: Pupils reflected on the wonder of creation during their forest adventures, considering God’s presence in nature.
Revealed Truth of God: Through acting out a parable during the Explore session, the children learned about overcoming fears and trusting in God’s guidance.
In the Image of God: By working together respectfully with pupils from Portpatrick, the children recognised the value and dignity of each person, reflecting the belief that we are all made in God’s image.