Nothing expresses the life-enhancing experience of a Discovery Destination trip more than a first-hand travel review! Hear below from two of our students on their recent Discovery Destinations adventures – Iceland and Into the Wild ‘Bushcraft’. 

Our budding Bear Grylls adventurers head for Bushcraft trials 

Our Year 8s headed off to a classified location in June for an immersion into Bushcraft. An extension of our Resilience project, the focus was to build on lessons learnt in the classroom in a real-life survival scenario, developing key skills and leaving girls with lasting memories of a truly exceptional adventure. Students were encouraged to leverage the trip for personal development, enhancing teamwork and communication skills, and developing their independent thinking.

Being ‘at one’ with the great outdoors was designed to test their survival skills with a range of Bushcraft activities, including shelter building, trap making, wilderness first aid, foraging & bushtucker trials and scenario SOS.

One of our keen adventurers – Sara-Maya from Year 8 – shares her experience:

In June, we went on an unforgettable bushcraft trip that immersed us in the wonders of nature. The excitement was palpable as we prepared to dive into two days filled with learning, adventure and fun. 

One of the first skills we learnt was to cook in the wild, by making burgers. First, we had a firewood collecting competition, then when the fire was roaring, we started cooking our burgers - satisfying and surprisingly enjoyable. The experience of preparing food over a fire, surrounded by forest, was a unique experience we won’t forget anytime soon. 

Another essential skill we tackled was fire starting. Our instructors guided us through various methods of igniting a fire, for example flint and steel. It was incredible to experience for ourselves the importance of warmth, cooking and safety in the wilderness. 

Safety is paramount in the wild and we were taught vital first aid skills to handle emergencies, from treating minor cuts and scrapes to understanding how to respond to more serious injuries. The knowledge we gained was invaluable. 

One of the highlights of our trip was learning how to camouflage in the wild, using face paint sticks to blend into our surroundings. This skill came in handy during one of the most thrilling activities of the trip, a game called Predator! 

Beyond the skills and games. The true magic off the trip was simply being immersed in nature. Sleeping at night was an unusual and unreal experience because you could hear the soothing sounds of the forest creating an atmosphere that was new and comforting at the same time. 

Our bushcraft trip was amazing. It left a valuable impression on us all, really making it an experience we will never forget. 

Written by Sara-Maya, Year 8 

The magic of Iceland 

In the May half term I headed off on one of our Discovery Destinations trips to stunning Iceland, along with fellow students from across Years 8-10 and had the best time of my life!   

A real highlight of our trip to Iceland was visiting the Secret Lagoon and feeling the smooth rocks at the bottom and the cloudy warm water surrounding you. Another was climbing through glaciers at Sólheimajökull and taking in the breathtaking views above the coastline. It was a really enjoyable experience and the hike up to the glacier was a memory I will never forget. It was so fascinating to hear about the history of the glaciers and we even got an opportunity to drink the water from the small streams as the mineral water was completely crystal clear and safe to drink!  

The trip to the Hvolsöllur waterfalls was definitely one of my favourite activities. It was a truly magical experience in which we could explore inside and behind the most beautiful waterfalls. It was definitely one of the most scenic and memorable sights that I saw in Iceland. 

Another phenomenal sight were the Icelandic Geysirs at the Haukadalur Geothermal Fieldm particularly when they erupted, shooting out heated water from the geothermal springs. Although it was extremely interesting, the smell of the sulphur in the water was not enjoyable! 

Indulging in the tour of the caves in Ölfus was a brilliant way to finish off the trip. Being able to actively see the stalagmites and stalactites was an incredible and beautiful memory that will remain with me forever. We even got the opportunity to turn off our headlights and torches to see how dark the caves were!  

Overall, I would 100% recommend this trip to Iceland for people who are interested in the exploring the outdoors and looking for ways to make beautiful memories. 

Written by Sadie, Year 8 

Next stop Peru! 

Best of luck to our students from Year 10-13 as they head off this summer to soak up Peruvian life, exploring iconic cities steeped in history and staying in a variety of unique community-based camps, from the windswept highlands to the outskirts of the breathtaking Colca Canyon.  

The projects that students work on will make a measurable difference to some of the poorest regions of Peru, helping to tackle critical issues such as education and sanitation. Of course, no trip to Peru would be complete without a visit to the world-famous Machu Picchu. Students will get to trek the spectacular Salkantay route to the ancient Inca city – a bucket-list experience they will never forget.

And finally... hear from two Year 10 students on their recent culture day trip exploring Chinese history and culture. 

In the last few weeks of term, those of us studying Mandarin had the opportunity to explore Chinese history and culture on an offsite trip. First, we visited the British Museum, where we completed worksheets about the history of artefacts. My favourite part was looking at the Chinese jade and ceramics because they were extremely beautiful, and we got to discover ancient methods of making Chinese bowls and plates which was very interesting.  

We then went to a Chinese restaurant in Chinatown, where we had the opportunity to try delicious Chinese food using chopsticks. Finally, we explored Chinatown with our classmates, and bought some Chinese sweets to enjoy. Overall, it was a really fun trip and we enjoyed learning about Chinese history, culture and being able to practise our Mandarin. Thank you Mrs Chung! 

Written by Lydia and Tiffany, Year 10