Trips Week
Year 9 - Valencia “She had the best time and said that the trip was by far the best trip she has been on at Ballard.” Year 9 parent “Our Year 9 pupils enjoyed a truly fabulous trip to Valencia, packed with a great variety of experiences that combined cultur e, sport, opportunities to speak the language and sightseeing. Throughout the visit, pupils embraced every opportunity on offer and represented the school exceptionally well. The group visited some of Valencia's beautiful beaches, including the stunning La Patacona, where pupils were able to enjoy the Mediterranean coastline and the excellent weather, which remained fantastic throughout our stay. Sport also played a part in the trip; pupils took part in a padel tennis session, learning one of Spain' s most popular sports, and also enjoyed the exciting opportunity to try surfing.
A particular highlight was spending time with a Spanish family at their villa, where pupils learned how to cook an authentic paella using fresh ingredients grown in the family's own vegetable garden. This was a wonderful cultural experience and gave pupils a real insight into Spanish family life and traditions. Other memorable visits included the impressive City of Arts and Sciences, th e Valencia football stadium, and the picturesque port of Port Saplaya, often affectionately referred to as "Little Venice" because of its colourful waterfront and canals. Of course, there was also plenty of excitement as we gathered to watch England's World Cup match, whic h added to the memorable atmosphere of the trip. The weather was excellent throughout, allowing us to make the most of every activity. Most importantly, the Year 9 pupils wer e an absolute pleasure to be around. Their enthusiasm, behaviour and willingness to engage with all aspects of the programme were outstanding. They embraced every opportunity, supported one another and were excellent ambassadors for the school. It was a fantastic trip filled with unforgettable experiences, and we are incredibly proud of how well the pupils conducted themselves throughout the visit. We look forward to returning to Valencia in the future.” Mrs Guillen Uzquiano (Head of Senior School).
Year 9 - Valencia
Year 8 - Normandy “Year 8 pupils enjoyed a memorable week at Château de la Baudonnière in Normandy. Set in beautiful surroundings, with rabbits and peacocks roaming freely around the grounds, the château provided the perfect backdrop for a wide range of exciting activities both on site and in the local area. Throughout the week, pupils embraced every challenge, from interacting with local traders at a traditional French market to t ackling a high ropes course and experiencing the unique adventure of crossing quicksand in the bay of the iconic Mont Saint -Michel. They also developed their culinary skills by baking bread at the château, competed enthusiastically in an aéroballe tournament, and enjoyed meeting, feeding and handling animals at the on -site farm.
A particular highlight was French Night, where pupils showed great enthusiasm by dressing up in fantastic costumes and, for t he more adventurous, sampling escargots. On the final day, pupils visited Arromanches -les-Bains, where they experienced the impressive 360° Circular Cinema and learned more about the D -Day landings through powerful historical footage and first -hand accounts. Fortunate to enjoy plenty of sunshine, pupils returned home with lasting memories, new experiences and a greater appreciation of the French language, culture and history. It was a truly wonderful trip that we hope they will look back on fondly for many years to come.” Mrs Thomas (Head of French).
Year 7 - Bude “She came home exhausted but told me that it was the best trip she has ever been on and, despite being a little scared of the water, she was encouraged to give everything a go and absolutely loved it. She cannot wait to go surfing again in the summer holidays. We are truly grateful to all the staff who took the children to Bude. Seeing your child so enthusiastic and happy is the best thing.” Year 7 Parent An action -packed week of outdoor challenges. From surfing and kayaking to caving and mountain boarding, pupils demonstrated their resilience and stepped outside their comfort zones. It was a fantastic week for all.
Upper Prep Team Building Our Year 7 and Year 8 pupils were fantastic during Trips Week, showing great teamwork, resilience and enthusiasm in their team-building activities. They worked together brilliantly to overcome challenges, support one another and build confidence along the way. Well done to you all.
Year 6 - Cobnor Year 6 enjoyed a fantastic residential visit to the Cobnor Activity Centre Trust in Chichester, staying right on the stunning coastline with beautiful views across the water. The trip began with an action -packed first day, during which pupils took part in aeroball and archery before enjoying a hearty fajita dinner. The evening concluded with a competitive and entertaining girls -versus-boys football match. Tuesday saw the children make the most of the coastal location, taking to the water for keelboating, kayaking and canoeing. After a busy day developing new skills and confidence on the water, everyone tucked into a delicious roast dinner .
On Wednesday, pupils challenged themselves further with crate stacking and the exciting Jacob's Ladder activity. The courage, determination and teamwork displayed throughout the day were outstanding, with children supporting and encouraging one another to reach new heights. The residential has been a wonderful opportunity for pupils to build resilience, strengthen friendships and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Year 5 - Osmington “Year 5 had a fantastic few days at their Osmington Bay PGL residential. The weather was perfect and we had beautiful views from our chalets across Weymouth Bay and Portland. The children got involved in a brilliant programme of different activities including giant paddleboarding, climbing, leap of faith, orienteering, archery tag, problem-solving and zip wire. The food was a big hit too, especially the flavoured water including the mixed one! It was great to see them try new activities, be brave and get out of their comfort zones, having fun with all their friends away from school and their families. A bit of a restless night on the first night meant some very sleepy children on the second day but they took on the challenges with a positive attitude and have all come away with brilliant memories and a lovely end to their time in Lower Prep.” Mr Farley (Head of Lower Prep) and Mrs Greaves (Junior Science Teacher).
Years 7-9 - Longleat Mr Fenton took three minibuses full of young explorers on a safari around Wiltshire. We fed giraffes, drove past a wolf pack and were surrounded by sea lions as we took a boat trip around Longleat's lake. The highlight of the trip was a close encounter with two hippos!
Years 3 & 4 - Moors Valley Year 3 and 4 had lots of fun exploring the different play areas at Moors Valley in the glorious sunshine.
Ballardbury “Trips Week started for Years 3 – 5 with their annual Ballardbury Day. Pupils enjoyed playing in tents during the morning, followed by a BBQ lunch. To round off the day, they headed to the Terrace to enjoy performances of songs and music by the children, with special guests headlined by our Head Girl, Nina.” Mr Elliott (Lower Prep Teacher).
Lower Prep - Chaos Smash and Orienteering “The pupils in Lower Prep had an energetic morning as they played "Chaos Smash" on the volleyball court. They propelled beanbags and soft balls at targets whilst attempting to dodge the opposition attacks from the other side of the net! After that exciting game, they took part in the woodland animal -themed orienteering game. Pupils had to find 20 cones with clues. All pupils were thoroughly warmed up for the afternoon's swimming gala.” Mr Winch (Lower Prep Teacher).
Pre-Prep – Hurst Castle “Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 enjoyed a wonderful trip to Hurst Castle. Getting there was a big part of the adventure, and they loved taking the ferry from Keyhaven and getting their first glimpse of the castle as the ferry travelled up the Keyhaven River. They loved exploring the beautiful Tudor castle before enjoying a picnic lunch within the grounds. Afterwards, we walked to the lighthouse, before catching the ferry back to Keyhaven .” Mrs Hunt (Head of Pre -Prep).
Outstanding Trips @ Ballard