Year 6 pupils, along with 8 members of staff, arrived safely at Liddington Hall in Swindon Monday 19th May for their residential trip.  We know they will all enjoy this exciting adventure making memories to cherish forever.

Liddington Hall Day 1
 
After an unexpected scenic tour courtesy of a diversion on the M4- and a full chorus of “Are we nearly there yet?” (spoiler: we weren’t!) - we finally made it to PGL Liddington!

To our surprise (and delight), the rooms were ready and waiting for us - a real treat!

With barely a moment to catch our breath, we jumped straight into the action. The children have thrown themselves into the activities with heaps of enthusiasm. Their teamwork is blossoming, and they’ve been wonderfully encouraging of one another - such a joy to see! Dinner was a big hit, with the children especially excited by the delicious school cake for pudding!

The sun has been playing hide and seek with us all day - hoodies on, hoodies off! Spirits are high, energy is buzzing, and there are smiles all around.

We’re off to a fantastic start.

More updates to come - but for now, rest assured they (and we!) are having an absolute blast. 

We’re hopeful for a calm evening ahead and some glorious sunshine to wake us up in the morning!

From the Liddington Hall Team

Shared below are some photographs from Day 1!

Liddington Hall Day 2

Good afternoon from a sunny (and surprisingly serene) Liddington!

Our first night was a little more lively than we might have predicted… Spirits were high, chatter was plentiful, and let’s just say some of the children seemed to think it was a sleepover rather than bedtime! That said, the corridors were calm and peaceful by about 10pm… ish… give or take a few enthusiastic whispers.

Despite the slightly later night, the children were up bright and early and raring to go! It’s amazing what fresh air, excitement, and possibly a little sugar can do.

So far this morning, we’ve had a brilliant variety of activities.

Some groups have taken on the vertical challenge - a real test of balance and bravery – while others have enjoyed the thrill of the Giant Swing (lots of screams of joy, we promise!). Meanwhile, a few groups have had a slower-paced but just as engaging experience on the Sensory Trail working together and sharpening their senses.

Everyone is safe, and very well-fed - and we’re all looking forward to an exciting afternoon of canoeing on the lake. The weather is being wonderfully kind, so we’re expecting lots of splashing, laughter and possibly some slightly soggy socks … group photos below , and more to follow, watch this space!

From the Liddington Hall Team

DAY 2/3 Liddington Hall

After our lively morning antics, the sun well and truly put its hat on and came out to play- hoodies off, and sunhats on (for those who still have them!).

Before lunch, we enjoyed a lovely group stroll through the woods on a mission to collect firewood for last night’s much-anticipated campfire. It was a chance to come together as one big St Helen’s team and enjoy a little well-earned shade.

Then, lunch - fuel for the next adventure: canoeing!
A quick superman-style change into our gear and it was time to hit the water. Groups 1–4 launched first, followed by Groups 5–7 for a full-scale St Helen’s takeover of the lake.

The lake didn’t know what hit it- its peaceful waters transformed into a splash-filled, giggle-soaked St Helen’s extravaganza. There were ball games, challenges, some very intentional splashing, a few slightly unintentional swims, and non-stop fun.

We’re pleased to report all children returned to dry land with their oars, their shoes, and their sense of humour very much intact.

After a thorough “de-laking” (a blur of hot showers, lost towels, and mysterious socks), it was time for the shop!  Parental warning: The children made their own choices… we take absolutely no responsibility for their purchases.

The campfire was full of laughter and singalongs, and the marshmallow roasting was the cherry on top of a truly marvellous day.

To say they earned their sleep would be an understatement, and we’re delighted to report a calm and snore-filled night.

This morning, we woke to grey skies and rain… the cheek!  In a reversal of yesterday, we actually had to wake the children up. Today brings climbing, teamwork, and hopefully staying dry!

Everyone is safe, happy, and full of stories to tell. We’re thinking of home, and we can’t wait to bring all these memories back with us.

Day 3 Liddington Hall

The grey weather this morning was rather symbolic as we said goodbye to our very own Little Miss Sunshine - Mrs Rowles. We’re so grateful for the time, energy, compassion, and joy she brings to St Helen’s, and for everything she has so generously shared with our PGL 2025 group. 

But never fear, our knight in top-to-toe waterproofs, Mr O’Riordan came galloping in to take over the reins!  

We were also lucky to enjoy a visit from our headteacher, Mr Daley this morning who popped in to share the fun and good times and managed to stop the rain, albeit briefly!

Sadly, the afternoon brought some thunder storms, which disrupted our third activity.  Most couldn’t go ahead. While the children were understandably disappointed, they didn’t let the weather dampen their spirits. Instead, they pulled together and showed - once again - remarkable resilience, patience, and positivity. 

Your children continue to make us incredibly proud. They’ve been fantastic ambassadors for our school - and for their families - facing fears, tackling (literal) obstacles, whizzing down zip-lines, and challenging themselves with courage and determination.

Our staff are loving the opportunity to get to know the children even better. Sharing stories, laughing together, and watching their independence and maturity flourish truly is a privilege.

And now, of course, all eyes turn to the big match tonight.  No big screens available, sadly, but rooms along the corridor have let us know where their allegiance lies by decorating their front door! May 'the best team' ~SPURS win!!!! 

Day 4 Liddington Hall : Disco Fever & Climbing High!


Greetings from a sunny-but-still-hoodie-worthy Liddington Hall!

We had a few sleepyheads this morning, in fact every room had to be woken up and more than a few very happy Spurs fans! The wake-up call came courtesy of Foghorn-Fagan leading a rousing (and rather loud) rendition of “When the Spurs Go Marching In”. There was no gloating aimed at the Manchester United fans though, everyone (well - not everyone) was just thrilled to witness Tottenham finally dusting off their trophy cabinet! (For these Year 6's, it’s the first one in their lifetime!)

This morning has been another thrill-packed adventure: Jacob’s Ladder and the climbing wall conquered by determined climbers, and the zip wire and giant swing had us quite literally flying through the air! So many children pushed themselves, encouraged each other, and reached new heights, both physically and in spirit.

We’ve been glowing with pride as PGL leaders keep telling us how fantastic our group is. Teamwork, manners, enthusiasm, and composure have all earned high praise - they’ve even been called “perfect” more than once!

As we head into our final full day, excitement is building for tonight’s much-anticipated disco - the energy levels are sky high!

Liddington Hall Day 4/5

This morning, we celebrated Emmett’s birthday- Happy Birthday, lovely Emmett! May your day be as full of fun and laughter as you are!

Thursday was a fabulous day!  All children took on the Vertical Challenge, tackling a series of climbing obstacles that tested their courage and coordination. Many made it to the very top, and all pushed themselves beyond their own expectations - we couldn’t be prouder.

And then… the disco.

Our corridor was transformed into a catwalk as our glamorous St Helen’s stars stepped out dressed to impress! The children’s energy was infectious, and they created a buzzing, joyful atmosphere that lit up the evening.

Bedtime was a little livelier (and later!) than usual, with the disco spirit still in the air - but everyone eventually settled down. With bags packed and final Stars of the Day and heartfelt thank-yous to our amazing leaders, we cosied down for our final night.

At 6am sharp, it was go-go-go! The children “packed” their final bits - good luck with the unpacking at home - and swept their rooms clear of what can only be described as a Costco store’s worth of sweet wrappers. That said, they were military efficient, and we were impressed!

The sun still has its hat on this morning as we enjoy our final activities together and make the most of our last moments as a St Helen’s PGL team.

The children’s behaviour throughout the trip has been excellent, and we are truly proud of each and every one of them.

The coach will be due back around 4pm, Mrs Parsons will confirm the ETA once we depart Liddington!

Thank you for entrusting us with your fabulous children, it has been a privilege.  We cannot wait to share more stories, photos, and memories with you all very soon.