Fordley Primary School - June 2010
The children from Fordley school enjoyed a lovely sunny week at High Borrans during June 2010. Let's see what they got up to...
Longbenton CLC Team Building weekend - September 2009
by Mags Cowan
Thursday Night
Lippy check, hair straighteners check – mascara check - well all packed and ready for the weekend
Friday
High Borrans Team Building Weekend!! “great” Richard Branson’s staff go to the sunny island of Necker we get the Lake District on a soggy cold weekend. Our group of 14 arrived on Friday in time for tea which was by the way very nice, and a chat with Sam one of the High Borrans Instructors, he enthused about all the wonderful activities we could try over the weekend, caving, climbing, fell walking ! umm no shopping, no girlie nights out mentioned here should I be worried? Off to unpack at least we 3 girls got the room with the en-suite, ended up having a really good night with the team relaxing, chatting and playing the Wii in front of a roaring log fire
Thought of the day … how much more satisfying to sit in front of a real fire that you actually lit rather than flicking a switch, umm think my carbon footprint shrank a little tonight.
Saturday
Early start well, for a Saturday no lounging in your pj’s watching Soccer AM today, breakfast in the communal kitchen, its quite levelling seeing everyone with their sleep heads on. Then it’s off on our chosen adventure some of the boys are going caving, not for the faint hearted I think, so I’m off for a nice easy little walk on the fells, with James our guide and instructor, might even have a little abseil if the weather clears. The hills looked really nice from the bottom even though we couldn’t see much for the mist and rain and I admit the thought that I wouldn’t put a dog out in this weather did cross my mind, but hey we’re team building so best foot forward ………… 15 minutes up the hillside I want to shout will someone please call a paramedic I think I’m having a heart attack , and the weight of this backpack is pulling my ribs apart, though it would probably have been a garbled whisper as I’m using all my strength to breathe never mind talk, I manage to lift my head up despite the darts of iced rain lashing against me and realise we’re all exactly the same even the seasoned hikers among us are gasping for their breath,(ha result !) only hoping my mascara isn’t running……… 30 minutes up the hillside and I’m breathing normally think I’ve passed the “pain barrier” and really enjoying this and quite prepared to carry on climbing till I reach the top, and yes the backpack is now firmly on my arm (footballers wives style) I’ve even got used to the sheep watching us like we’re escaped lunatics. Lunch time .. James got us to manoeuvre and sit under what seemed to be a massive parachute, must admit this was my least favourite time very strange eerie sensation, but at least I managed to check the mascara it was fine.(memo to brain rain gets everywhere double wrap your sandwiches and cover your back pack in something waterproof)…. Biggest disappointment was actually getting this high and not being able to look down over the hills we conquered as the visibility was so poor, but am now determined to come again in better weather (can’t believe me a townie just said that !) We all sat in the Old Dungeon Ghyll afterwards soaked through, worn out, a very self satisfied happy little band of hikers. Back at the house it was hot showers,a beautiful evening meal waiting for us and catch up with our cave boys, who had thoroughly enjoyed their day with photos to prove it I was left wondering how brave, how daring, how adventurous, how did you get your bulk through that little hole !. Nice relaxing evening in front of the log fire, got the Wii out to play but it was left aside as we talked laughed and bragged about our “day out”, work and life in general.
Thought of the day … how come when your gloves are so wet you have to keep wringing them out that they still manage to keep your hands warm?
Sunday
After what was probably one of the best night’s sleep ever we all met in the communal kitchen for breakfast and I realise that although we came here a very close team we have used the opportunity to remind ourselves that we are also friends (old and new) who respect each other values as both individuals and work colleagues. As yesterday our instructors await us ….. some of the group decided to stay on site with James to learn the ropes and have a go at archery so while they threw themselves with gusto into crawling round on the ground under scramble nets, swinging upside down from a rope in the trees and flexing their arms at the archery the rest of us went off canoeing. Sam drove us down to Lake Windermere where we unhitched the 2 man open canoes and took to the water like the proverbial ducks. Zig-zagging gracefully across the lake, under the watchful eye of our Father Duck (Sam). Well, I’d like to say our 5 canoes cut a graceful sight paddling gently, but in reality I’m sure one of the guys (or was it me) kept humming the Hawaii 5 0 tune which unleashed the Steve Redgrave in all of us, we were halfway across when I found out I was lucky enough to be in the special canoe you know the one where you get to swim as well, 2 little rocky waves right in the middle of the Lake and it was over and out literally! Sam the supercool superhero was straight to our rescue after telling the others to stay put he quickly righted our upturned canoe and dragged our wet behinds back to safety which was no mean feat considering I had what felt like 100 kilo of water in each Wellington boot. We all arrived back on shore wet, bedraggled and euphoric with all the gusto reminiscent of Newcastle United doing a lap of honour in the long gone days when they actually used to win trophies. Back at the house it was a very hot very long shower followed by lots of tea, sympathy, sniggering and jokes from the team then another sumptuous lunch prepared by those two wonderful chefs “Big Cook Little Cook” Stan and Paul (eat your heart out Jamie Oliver these are the guys who should be in charge of School Dinners) Sitting there all warm and relaxed looking round the table I though Richard Branson you can keep Necker, this is the team to be with friends and colleagues old and new. This weekend has been perfect for learning and remembering the strengths and weaknesses we each possess that combines together to keep this team a team.
A/S Level Geography Course - October 2009
By Gill Troup, George Stephenson High School
"High Borrans is an excellent centre for Geography fieldwork at all stages of the curriculum. George Stephenson High School has used the centre for a number of years now with our collaborative schools Lonbenton and Seaton Burn for A level. Students are able to carry out primary data collection for physical as well as human geography. Although coursework is no longer a module which is marked at AS level we still make the students complete a coursework piece to ensure they have all the skills necessary for their AS exam. High Borrans is an ideal location with experienced staff who can lead the data collection days. We usually visit the River Eea and Torver Beck above Coniston, have a skills challenge in rural settlements and collect data on Kendal as an urban area. We also look at Kendal's flood management scheme to use as a case study.The centre has the facilities for students to collate their data and present their work as well as allowing students to relax afterwards.Our students always enjoy their experience taking away good memories and we have some great photographs for display."
Amberley Primary School Diaries
13th - 16th March 2009
NT Action Club at High Borrans
August 2008
Willington Quay Kids Club group have some summer fun
August 2008
St Thomas More School enjoy the snow at High Borrans
February 2008
Testimonials from Back worth Youth Group
October 2007
What do Back worth Youth Group think of their time at High Borrans?
My first time at High Borrans was extremely enjoyable
Everything is well planned and thought out
Beautiful, friendly place
Fab!
A Poem by Chloe and Niamh from Wellfield Middle School
High Borrans is so kwl
It is so fun
Gr8 activities to do
High Borrans roks
Best time of yr life
Or in the whole world
Respect each other
Respect the teachers 2
A good friend is a gr8 friend
No matter what
So when you go to High Borrans just have fun.
Amberley Primary School Diaries
25th - 29th June 2007
Wardle High School 40th Birthday Photo
All groups visiting High Borrans this year will receive a framed 40th Birthday group photo as a reminder of their stay.
Bailey Green Primary School Diaries
5th - 9th March 2007
Southridge First School Diaries
12th - 16th February 2007
26th February - 2nd March 2007