After yet another great night of everyone settling really quickly and getting to sleep, we woke this morning to rain. But we were not downhearted as at Dr Radcliffe's, we make the best of every situation.

The day started with a great breakfast of cereal and sausage baps, before room inspection. As with everything this week, I have been very impressed with how neat and tidy the rooms were. Most children can make their beds well, the hoover has been very active and all clothes and toiletries have been neatly stored. In fact, when you enter the girls dorms, I feel like I am entering a beauty parlour. So I am hoping these cleaning skills will stay with them when they return home.

And so to the day's activities. Today we switched so Miss O'Sullivan and Mr O'Malley's groups headed off for a wet day of climbing. Although the weather was not great for climbing, all entered into it with great gusto and managed to achieve all the challenges given to them. As the terrain was favourable for rock scrambling, Mis O'Sullivan's group also had great fun exploring the coastal formations including investigating some mini caves. Mr O'Malley's group opted for abseiling so they could admire the views of rain over the sea.

Mr Fane's group and mine were going bodyboarding. If it's going to rain you may as well go in the sea. The hardest challenge of the week was for the 3 adults trying to get 25 children into wetsuits and wet boots - I will admit, they are not easy to get your own body into one so it was a full-body work out to get other people into them, but in true Dr Radcliffe's style, we succeeded. The waves were amazing and all the children had a fantastic time catching waves and riding them into the shore. It was a total success! As I looked at the children in the water, it reminded me of a certain TV show in the late 80s/early 90's. It's fair to say that who needs David Hassehoff and Pamela Anderson when you've got Tom, Becky and Sarah , in wet suits - Lol!!

And so to the final meal and the final evening. Yet again, the catering staff satisfied hungry tums with pizza, potato wedges, salad sticks and spaghetti hoops, followed by school cake and custard. The children are currently facing their final challenge of finding all of their clothing and packing their bags; in addition, deciding what souvenirs they are going to buy from the shop. It could be a long night.

As this is my last blog for this Residential, I would like to thank all the staff at Kilvrough who have made this week so special for the children. They have looked after them and given them fantastic opportunities. However, I'd also like to give a massive thank you to Tom Fane, Rob O'Malley, Sarah Sellers and Chloe O'Sullivan who without them, this week could not happen, because I could not have done this with out them. They have given up their time, beds and time with their families to enable the children to have this great opportunity. So a  big 'Thank you' from me.

The next time you see your children will be tomorrow when I know they will have so many happy memories they will want to share with you. When the bus arrives back at school, please could you wait in the school grounds, on the grass triangle, so that there is room, on the pavement, for the luggage to be unloaded. We will send the children to you, once we can see an adult who is collecting them. Once you have received your child, please could you sign out with one of the school staff, so we know your child has been returned into your hands safely, collect their bag and go and have a fantastic weekend.

Thank you for all your help and support with getting the children ready for the Residential.

Best wishes,

Becky Roberts

Course Leader