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J6 Invade Newlands - Check out our Blog!

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J6 are at Newlands. We are writing a regular web log (blog), including photos, to keep you up to date with what we are up to, what we have eaten and other totally irrelevant stuff!

The latest stories will appear below - the most recent stories and photos on top - so keep looking at regular intervals. Click on the link to the Newlands website to find out more about Newlands.

Wednesday 26th September - 14:00

This is, I'm afraid, the final Newlands blog.

The boys are on their way! We managed to reunite most of the lost property with their owners, although some is so unrecognisable that we've had to leave it here. If you are missing anything, speak to your son who categorically denies that any of the stuff left over is his. The centre will use it for other groups over the coming months.

The teachers had a busy time doing a river study for Year 6's topic about water. We were helped by the two dogs at the centre, - Jess and Ellie - and they were very good at retrieving the ball from the river. However, they also liked to do it BEFORE the test was complete. Good fun.

Ellie and Jess give a helping paw in the river study

The Pastie Boyz involved in the river study

Ready for the off

The boys have just packed-up the coach and will be on their way. Messrs Lyon and Youngson are on the coach - Mr Wardle has stayed behind to carry on collecting socks and undies from behind radiators and under bunks. What a job.

It has been a great trip. The boys have been great ambassadors for our school and we are proud of their behaviour and attitude.

Newlands is one of those places that you never forget. Two of our old boys have responded to the blog saying how much they enjoyed the visit and that they would like to be back here again with us. We hope that your sons also have fond memories of their adventure to the Lake District and that they will enjoy those memories in the months and years that follow.

That's it...the Newlands blog is at an end. Thank you to everyone who has been reading the exploits of Year 6. It has been fun to do and the boys have enjoyed seeing themselves on the Worldwide Web. Thanks particularly to the many parents who emailed during the visit - we had about 40 messages during the 3 days - it was good to know that the blog efforts weren't in vain (I thought that no-one would be bothered to read it but it turned into our very own 'Big Brother').

I'm off in my car so, from the Chief Pasty Boy ...and the other two balding ones - I'm off down the M6. BYEEEE!! - Mr Wardle

Newlands Outdoor Activity Centre

Wednesday September 26th - 09:20

What a mess! There are more undies and socks lying around than a half price sale at Primark! The boys have now gone off on their activities but there is a lot of tidying to do. We also have a tonne of unclaimed clothing from the drying room so that will be distributed later too.

It's a fine day up here - sunshine and blue skies and fairly warm...except in the ghyll where it is still a bit chilly.

Tom has learned the art of using a knife and fork

Breakfast was the usual success and devoured in what seemed like milliseconds - and that was just by the staff.

The 'Pastie Boyz' are off to do a river study up the valley.

Another update to follow later.

Who pinched the lake?

Wednesday September 26th - 07:15

It's morning, and sadly the last one of our Newlands adventure. The weather is looking very promising - the sun is up and there is just about enough bue sky to make a sailor's shirt, as my grandmother used to say.

The boys all had a good night - all was quiet by just before midnight and Mr Wardle had to wake them up at 07:00 with a rousing chorus of "Oh, What a beautiful morning!", one of the highlights of the trip, I'm sure..(you can probably guess who writes this rubbish!).

The boys now have to strip their beds - pillowcases in one pile, quilt covers in another and bottom sheets in another. Some boys weren't certain what a quilt cover, bottom sheet or pillowcase was (parents...you should be ashamed of yourselves) but their education in these important matters is now complete.

The boys are looking forward to their hearty breakfasts and then the activities. They all send their love to all our readers.

By the way, thanks for all of your emails - it's been great to hear from home. Keep them coming and let us know what you think of the website and blog.

Tuesday September 25th - 22:00

SSSShhhhhh! The boys have gone to bed! However, there doesn't appear to be much sleeping going on at the moment if the noise from upstairs is anything to go by. The 'Little Angels' have cleaned their teeth, brushed their hair and said their prayers - well that was the hope. An awful lot of boys seem to smell of Kieran's body spray....yuk!

All friends together

The evening activities have tired them out but also left them a little hyperactive. This has probably been helped along by the Coca Cola and chocolate that been shoved down in the last half an hour.

Good night from Newlands...missing you already!!!

Tuesday 25th September - 19:30

Well, tea was a huge success! We started off with vegetable soup, followed by the most delicious homemade chicken pie, new potatoes sweetcorn and peas. We had a choice of afters - chocolate mousse, peaches and cream and Mr Lyon and Mr Youngson's favourite, jam and coconut sponge (Mr Wardle resisted the temptation as he's discovered that his wife and family are also reading the blog and spotted him in the pasty shop in the earlier story).

The boys are, as we speak, out on the sports field playing 'Earth Ball' which is a ball game with a difference - the ball is vast - taller than Mr Lyon and fatter than Mr Bennett! That's one big ball.

They'll be back in at 20:30 and then they'll need to tidy their rooms....you should see them!! We blame the parents!!!

Fetch!

Tuesday 25th September - 17:15

Day 2. Sunshine and happy boys.

The lads tried out the sports field at lunchtime for a spot of recreational footie and rugby, after a selection of sandwiches, crisps and apples were offered up.

Four groups have now been in the ghyll for a scramble. We sent them in as boys and they came out the other end as hairy-kneed men. To say it was character building would be an understatement. Meanwhile we await chicken pie for tea,followed by either peaches and cream, jam sponge or chocolate mousse.. And no, we don't spend all our time just thinking about the next meal. At least, most of us don't

Tom and Sam get ready for activities

. . .

Tuesday 25th September - 12:00

We can see our house from here!

Help!

A long way down

Greetings!

The sun has got his hat on Hip, hip ... well you know the rest! The boys were delighted to find out this morning that, thanks to the better weather, they were allowed to go ghyll scrambling.

The two fit teachers and 'Lumpy' went to watch the boys taking part in the assault course. It was wonderful watching Nick Knight on the zip wire crashing into a tree! We'd pay good money for that! The Three Musketeers dived into Keswick to the famous pasty shop (They are low calorie ones....HONEST!)

The Fabulous Pasty Boyz

The boys are having a well earned rest after their morning activities and are about to dive into their sandwiches, crisps, fruit and drinks.

Activities start again at 13:45 with renewed vigour being the order of the day.

The boys don't have time to miss home - they're having so much fun here!

Catch up with our progress later.

Dumber and Dumberer

Who has pinched the ladder?

Tuesday 25th September - 08:45

Breakfast went down well....but no eggs! 2/3 of the staff have been for a 3.5 mile run - no prizes for guessing which 1/3 didn't go - well I did have to look after the kids you know!

The lads are getting ready for their activities - and the good news is that the ghyll scrambling is on today as it's a bit drier.

A hearty breakfast before the trials of the day

There are quite a few bleary eyes this morning - well we did tell them to get some sleep!

Log on later for some action photos from the assault course.

Tuesday 25th September - 07:30

GOOD NEWS - IT'S NOT RAINING!!!

We had a good night! All were asleep by midinght - or thereabouts - the first risers didn't disturb Mr Youngson's beauty sleep until about 6. The boys are getting a wash (!!??) and dressing in readiness for breakfast - bacon, egg, sausage, tomatoes, cereal, toast...the list goes on. Breakfast is at 8 with activities starting at 8:45.

Hope you are enjoying the blog - thanks to all the people who've emailed their comments - keep 'em coming!

Monday 24th September - 21:50

Ready for bed

Best pyjama competition winners

Worst pyjamas competition winner

Good evening viewers

Welcome to the final blog of the day, as the staff are far too tired to write any more and the bar is open!

We've had a fine evening, despite the weather! The lads have played with parachutes and have taken part in an exciting pyjama competition (we have reported to social services about the standard of pjs that the boys have been forced to wear)

Next task is to get the lads to sleep! Excitement and chatting levels are both at a peak, although we hope that they will run out of steam around 3am!!

Check us out for more exciting photos and info tomorrow.

This is Phil Wardle, Derek Youngson and Dave Lyon reporting for News at Ten

Good Night

Monday 24th September - 19:40

Large pair of undies found at Newlands - yours Mr Bennett?

hi y'all!

Dinner proved a success with plenty of pizza and chips consumed by the hungry lads, who are now off enjoying an (indoor) evening activity, due to the fact that it is even wetter outside on the field than in the ghyll.

Incidentally Tom Hutchinson has a promising career in waiting on tables judging by the way he cleared up.

You would be astonished at the tidiness of the rooms with most pupils locating the drawers under beds and some articles of clothing finding their way into them.

We will shortly be bracing ourselves for bedtime story and cocoa time, but not before Mr Lyon has gone through his repertoire of trick shots on the pool table.

No reported cases as yet of trench foot.

Enjoy the peace while ye can..

Who ate all the pies??!!

Monday 24th September - 17:00

We're here! The weather, so far, has been terrible, both on the journey up here (yes, we arrived without breaking down, Mr Grant!!) but hasn't dampened our spirits. The boys, as we speak, are busily unpacking their things and drying themselves off after kayaking, rock climbing and an assault course. So far there have been a lot of smiling faces returning after their activities and no injuries!!

The menu tonight sounds mighty fine - Minestrone Soup, followed by Pizza, salad and chips and then apple pie and cream. MMMMmmmmm. Mr Wardle, as always, will be having a light tea with loads of salad ....and a VERY large diet pizza!

After dinner activities will be 'Earth Ball' on the sports field.

There will be some tired boys going to bed tonight!

Up Derwent Creek...with a paddle

Monday 24th September - 06:15

Well, we leave for Newlands later this morning and I've been awoken by the rain - it's pouring down! However, according to the BBC weather, it's going to brighten up this afternoon and lovely sunshine for Tuesday and Wednesday. Here's hoping!

The bus is due to leave at around 09:00 and will stop off at Tebay at around 11:30 where Mr Wardle will be waiting. We are due at Newlands between 12 -1 and activities will start shortly afterwards.

Keep checking back and let us know what you think.

Emails can be sent to Mr Wardle, using the form below. He'll reply if he can!