Final Adventures โ Forest Explorers & Muddy Challenges 
For our final morning activities, the groups split one last time.
The girls headed off on a forest adventure at Cally Woods, where they hiked through the stunning woodland, taking in the natural beauty around them. Along the way, they:
Spotted a red squirrel, a rare and exciting find!
Learned about copper beech trees and the impact of monocultural forests on biodiversity, building on their classroom learning.
Discovered and even tasted wild garlic and soft rushโsome loved it, othersโฆ not so much!
Discussed rivers and haha walls, understanding how landscapes are shaped over time.
Heard the incredible story of a robbery that happened in the area exactly 200 years and 1 day ago!
Meanwhile, the boys took on the challenge course, which was all about teamwork, resilience, and problem-solving. The key words of the morning? Wet and muddy! 
Their task involved carrying a bucket of water and Robert the egg safely through an obstacle-filled course. Letโs just sayโฆ teamwork had some room for improvement, as all of their water was lost, and Robert, unfortunately, didnโt survive the journey! 
Despite the setbacks, they had a brilliant time laughing their way through the challenges and learning valuable lessons about encouragement, adaptability, and perseverance.
Heading Home โ Friendships & Memories 
With the final activities complete, it was time for one last clean-up and a chance to reflect on the experience. The biggest success of the trip has been the way St. Josephโs and Portpatrick pupils have come together as one teamโshowing kindness, encouragement, and support for each other throughout every challenge.
Now, as we head home, tired but happy, weโre filled with pride for how well the children have represented themselves, their schools, and their communities. New friendships have been formed, lifelong memories have been made, and every child leaves Barcaple having challenged themselves in new and exciting ways.
A huge thank you to the staff at Barcaple for an incredible experienceโand of course, to our amazing P7s for making this such a special trip! 
Now, time to restโฆ and maybe do some laundry! 
UNCRC Rights Covered:
Article 15: Right to meet with friends and join groups and clubs (working together as a team in activities like the challenge course and exploring Cally Woods with their peers).
Article 29: Right to education that develops talents and abilities (learning about biodiversity, ecosystems, and resilience through real-world experiences).
Article 31: Right to rest, play, and leisure (engaging in fun and active challenges, enjoying the last moments of free time with new friends).
Article 12: Right to express views and be listened to (reflecting on teamwork and communication throughout the challenge course and group discussions).
Article 24: Right to good health and well-being (physical activities promoting teamwork, outdoor learning, and resilience).
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Linked:
Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being (staying active through outdoor adventures and learning the importance of teamwork and perseverance).
Goal 4: Quality Education (understanding ecosystems, biodiversity, and history in a hands-on learning environment).
Goal 5: Gender Equality (equal opportunities for boys and girls to take on adventurous challenges and outdoor exploration).- Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities (teamwork and inclusion across both schools, supporting and encouraging each other).
- Goal 15: Life on Land (exploring and learning about forests, wildlife, and the impact of biodiversity loss).
Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals (strengthening friendships and collaboration between St. Josephโs and Portpatrick pupils).
Meta-Skills (from the 12):
Self-Management:
Focusing (navigating the challenge course, learning new skills, and staying engaged in activities).- Integrity (supporting teammates, showing fairness, and learning from setbacks in the challenge course).
Adapting (adjusting to new challenges, problem-solving on the go, and working with different strategies).
Initiative (taking responsibility during tasks, leading in decision-making, and participating actively).
Social Intelligence:
Communicating (working together in teams, discussing strategies, and reflecting on teamwork).
Feeling (showing encouragement and empathy during activities, especially in challenging moments).
Collaborating (supporting each other in carrying out tasks like the challenge course and navigating the woods).- Leading (taking initiative to support the group and solve problems in the challenge course and orienteering).
Innovation:
Curiosity (exploring the forest, learning about biodiversity, and understanding historical events).
Creativity (developing problem-solving strategies for transporting water and the egg during the challenge course).
Sense-Making (understanding the impact of monocultural forests and biodiversity in real-life learning experiences).
Critical Thinking (applying teamwork and logic to navigate the challenges, solve puzzles, and explore the environment).
SHANARRI Indicators:
Safe: (Supervised activities with clear safety measures, especially for the challenge course and forest exploration).
Healthy: (Active participation in outdoor physical challenges, promoting well-being and resilience).
Achieving: (Overcoming obstacles, learning new facts about biodiversity and history, and successfully completing the trip).
Nurtured: (A supportive and inclusive environment where pupils encouraged and helped each other).- Active: (Engaging in physical outdoor challenges, teamwork tasks, and forest hikes).
Respected: (Opportunities to contribute to discussions, make decisions, and reflect on their experiences).
Responsible: (Taking ownership of teamwork, learning from mistakes, and working towards a shared goal).- Included: (Celebrating the strong partnership between St. Josephโs and Portpatrick, ensuring everyone felt valued).
Strands of Faith:
- Revealed Truth of God: (Through reflection, pupils considered lessons about perseverance, trust, and working together).
- Mystery of God: (Experiencing the beauty of creation while hiking through the forest and learning about biodiversity).
- In the Image of God: (Through teamwork and inclusion, pupils recognised the value of each person and the importance of kindness and encouragement).
