Pendarren 2025
Day 4
Click HERE to view photos from today's caving group
Click HERE to view photos from today's Horse/Canoe group
Our last full day at Pendarren started with stuffing our faces with cereal, fruit, toast, hash browns (very popular!), chicken sausages, and beans. Full of food, we set off for more adventures and even more memories!
Day 4's activities brought about the most talked about activity of the week - River Study - for Groups 2 and 3. I won’t talk too much about it as the pictures and videos clearly show just how much fun was had by all. Always a great day and this year was no different. They ‘letter-boxed’ , ‘they worm-holed’ , they ‘white-lined’ …they did it all! Well done Class 6!
Sven, the instructor, gave all the children the option to do an extra challenge. He said it would be tough but it would be fun! 2 children quietly stepped back, seemingly opting out. Standing next to each other, they had a quick hushed conversation, shared a quick smile and both of them re-joined the main group for their challenge!
This interaction brilliantly sums up this week - overcoming fears together in a patient, safe, supportive environment. This is exactly what the Pendarren Experience is all about and Class 6 have well and truly embraced it!
We are currently polishing off our tuck shop sweets and finishing off our Pendarren diary entries for Thursday before our attention turns to a camp fire and a reflection on the week - an opportunity for us to look back at all of the things that we've achieved; all of the safe mistakes that we’ve quickly learned from; all of the new skills we've learned; all of the fun that we've had whilst doing it; all the times that we have laughed (and we've had so many!); all of the challenges and fears that we faced head on; and of course, all of the underwear and socks we’ve lost this week!
What a wonderful week we have had! But it is nearly time for this adventure to end. We are looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow to tell our tales and share our memories with you.
One memorable quote from today:
“Why would someone plant a tree in here?” (in the cave)
New word of the day:
Sump (part of a cave fully submerged with water).
Minibus “game” of the day:
“1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8”
“2,3,4,5,6,7,8”
“3,4,5,6,7,8”
“4,5,6,7,8”
“5,6,7,8”
“6,7,8”
“7,8”
“8”
Over and over and over again…🙄
Drying room/Lost property update:
*say a little prayer!*
Reminder: Keep checking your emails regarding any updates and changes to the estimated arrival time.
Thank you and goodnight for one last time from South Wales.
Pendarren 2025
Day 3
Click HERE to view photos from the Horse Trekking (Morning Group)
Click HERE to view photos from the Horse Trekking (Afternoon Group)
Click HERE to view photos from the River Study Group
Click HERE to view photos from Canoeing
Pendarren Instructor: Mr McNicholas, can I have a quick word?
Mr McNicholas: Of course.
Pendarren instructor: I’d just like to have a quick word on behaviour.
Mr McNicholas: Erm ok.
Pendarren instructor: We just wanted to say how amazing your children are. The staff around the house have all said how polite your children are and we couldn’t not tell you! Just thought we’d let you know…
What a wonderful way to start the day! The children have been an absolute delight and of course praise is always nice to hear!
For Group 1 today it was River Study, following the Afon Mellte (river) from the source down through the limestone caves and finally down to the waterfalls. Both Groups 2 and 3 experienced a wonderful change of pace today, taking on two very different adventures — canoeing and horse riding. Many children not only faced their fears but completely overcame them, returning to lunch and dinner full of excitement and pride, eager to tell everyone all about their horse.
All teachers sat down for dinner and each one described their group’s efforts with words like perseverance, determination, happiness, bravery, and skill - qualities that truly shone through in all groups throughout the day.
This evening, after a dinner of chicken curry and rice, we had the opportunity to have a practical workshop with some mountain rescue instructors who showed us their vehicle and all of their equipment. Diary writing and a nice slice of birthday cake to top off another wonderful day.
Overused Y6 word of the day:
“Alie”
Lost property update:
Drying room is looking busy!
Spoiler alert:
Tomorrow is the swap day!
Group 1 will have canoeing and horse riding. Group 2 and 3 will be doing river study.
Goodnight all!
Pendarren 2025
Day 2
Click HERE to view photos from Day 2
After an excellent first night’s sleep, everyone woke up refreshed and ready for our first full day in Pendarren.
Breakfast set us up perfectly for the day ahead: cereal, fruit, sausages, hash browns, beans, and toast. With plenty of energy on board, we headed out for our adventure to Caswell Bay near Mumbles.
First up our coastal walk around the headland, where we spotted a seal! After a well-deserved lunch on the beach, the children got stuck into some rock pooling, working brilliantly together to carefully collect and identify lots of marine life, including:
• A shrimp
• Various crabs
• Sea snails
• A fish
• And, of course, plenty of seaweed!
This evening, the group were treated to a session with Daniel Morden, a wonderful Welsh storyteller whose tales completely captivated everyone. Some even bought a book!
Before bed, the children enjoyed some diary writing and a few lively games of Beetle — a much-loved SJV tradition! By the end, there were definitely some very tired eyes, so it was straight off to bed to recharge for tomorrow’s adventures.
Mr McNicholas’ favourite quotes from today:
“I’m not Mr Quin!”
“I’m not Miss!”
Tomorrow’s plan:
• Group 1 – River Study
• Group 2 – Horse Riding and Canoeing
Everyone is having a fantastic time and embracing every challenge with enthusiasm. We hope you’re enjoying these updates — more to come tomorrow!
Goodnight from Pendarren! 🌙
Pendarren 2025
Day 1
Click HERE to view photos from Day 1
After waving goodbye to parents, brothers, sisters, and teachers, our coach — packed to the brim with very excited children (and quite a fair bit of luggage) — set off for the Welsh adventure we’ve all been eagerly anticipating! The journey was filled with chatter, laughter, books, games, jewellery making, and fidget toys! It was genuinely lovely to overhear so many great conversations!
After a toilet and snack stop at Leigh Delamere Services, we rolled into Wales right on time at 1 p.m.
We were warmly welcomed by our instructors for the week — Neil, Callum, and Jazz — and quickly settled into our new routines and surroundings.
Wellies? Check.
Sun hats? Check.
Water bottles? Check.
🚌 Five hours of pent-up coach energy? Definitely check!
And with that, we were off for our first adventure: a mountain walk! All 3 activity groups tackled Sugar Loaf with enthusiasm and determination — and we’re proud to say, every single one of us reached the top. It was hard but we did it!
What a brilliant start!
Once back, it was time to unpack, make beds, and get our dorms ready — all completed efficiently and with smiles (I’m not joking!)
Dinner was a huge hit: homemade breaded chicken, wedges, sweetcorn, and salad, followed by yoghurt for dessert. Every plate was cleared by our hungry explorers!
Dormitory inspection? Passed with flying colours.
Fire drill? Completed perfectly first time!
The evening ended with a thoughtful discussion about our aims and hopes for the week, followed by a few chapters of ‘Holes.’ Then it was off to brush teeth and get a good night’s sleep after an exciting and tiring first day in Wales.
Mr McNicholas’ quote of the day:
“Right, slime away!” (Unnamed teacher)
Fact of the day: A mountain is only a mountain when it is at least 600m tall. (Sugar Loaf is 596m - don’t tell the children!)
Spoiler alert: Tomorrow is our coast visit!
See below for a few clips...they're having an alright time!
CLASS 6
| Welcome to Class with with Mr. Quin, Ms. McDonnagh and Mrs. Kennedy |
Useful Links - How to Help your Child at Home
Reading, Writing and Maths in Year 6: https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/at-school/year-6-at-primary-school/
Spelling: https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/english/primary-spelling/spelling-year-6-age-10-11/
Punctuation & Grammar: https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/english/primary-grammar/grammar-year-6-age-10-11/
Science: https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/at-school/science-at-primary-school/
Curriculum for 2022-24
Click this link to see what we are learning in each subject / half term