Another incredible AWE (Activities Week & Expeditions) is almost complete at The Island Free School!
While our Year 10 pupils have been tackling their mock exams on site, our Year 7,8 & 9 pupils have been making memories that will last a lifetime. From photographing breathtaking landscapes and exploring ecology in Scotland, climbing Vesuvius and walking the streets of Pompeii (with a well-earned gelato-making experience) in Italy, soaking up culture and Disney magic in Paris, enjoying an unforgettable theatre experience in London (with Hamilton providing a spectacular finale), to adventure in the Mendips, an arts retreat in Cornwall, surfing in Torquay and fantastic day trips for our Island-based group – It has truly been a week of opportunity, challenge and discovery.
None of this would be possible without our amazing staff, who generously give their time, energy and enthusiasm to create these experiences for our young people.
Thank you to every member of staff who has travelling with our pupils, supported activities, driven minibuses, supervised late nights and early mornings, and help make this week such a success.
This year’s exceptionally hot weather brought an extra layer of logistical challenge – it required plans to be adapted at short notice to ensure everyone remained safe and well. A huge thank you goes to all our staff for their flexibility and calm professionalism, with special recognition to our fantastic office team back at school, who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to coordinate changes, communicate with trip leaders and families, and ensure every expedition could continue safely without compromising the experience for our pupils.
AWE is so much more than trips away; it’s about building confidence, resilience, curiosity and friendships. It reminds us all that with positive mindsets, teamwork and a willingness to adapt, we really can overcome whatever obstacles come our way.
We’ll be sharing plenty of photographs and highlights once all our groups have returned safely and everyone is back on sit next week – we can’t wait to celebrate everything they’ve achieved together.
Finally, a reminder to parents and carers that Monday 29th June is a Staff Development Day, so pupils can enjoy an extra-long weekend which will give them plenty of time to unpack, catch up on sleep and hopefully, do their own washing!
Well done everyone, and safe travels to our remaining groups as they make their way home!
