Year 6 leavers' adventure to Lynch Island
What an unforgettable way to celebrate the end of our time at Rupert House!
Our Year 6 pupils enjoyed an exciting leavers' trip to Lynch Island at Shiplake College, filled with adventure, teamwork and plenty of muddy fun.
The day began with everyone carefully packing their lunches into backpacks and making sure waterproofs were at the ready – a decision that proved to be very wise! We then set off on an impressive 7km walk from Rupert House to Shiplake College, travelling through beautiful woods, across golf courses and over open fields. The walk was a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the countryside together, and the children showed great resilience, maturity and determination throughout the journey.
Just as we arrived at Shiplake College, the heavens opened and rain began pouring down. Undeterred, we quickly adapted our plans and moved to the archery range for an indoor picnic lunch. Spirits remained high, and the children embraced the change with positivity and good humour.
After lunch came one of the highlights of the day: the journey to Lynch Island. In groups of seven, the children were ferried across by Mr Pettifer, adding an extra sense of adventure and excitement to the afternoon.
Once on the island, the children had the freedom to explore and immerse themselves in the great outdoors. They built impressive dens, practised their map-reading skills, climbed trees, and even made some feathered friends, befriending ducks and ducklings along the way. A campfire was lit, providing the perfect opportunity to enjoy hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows while sharing stories and laughter with friends.
The island soon became a hub of exploration, teamwork and imagination. Despite the muddy conditions, or perhaps because of them, the children embraced every moment with enthusiasm. It was wonderful to see them demonstrating independence, resilience and a real appreciation for the freedom and adventure that outdoor learning can offer.
As our Year 6 pupils prepare to move on to their senior schools, this exciting and muddy adventure will hopefully remain a treasured memory of their final weeks at Rupert House. We are incredibly proud of the maturity, kindness and spirit they showed throughout the day, and we wish them every success as they begin the next chapter of their journeys.
