We are very pleased to be able to offer Activities Week in June 2020 as part of the College calendar. For the week of 22 - 26 June 2020, the normal College timetable will be suspended for all students in Years 7-9 and staff will spend the week providing in a variety of activities not usually available during the normal day. Activities Week is an opportunity for all students to learn new skills and develop socially, allowing staff and students to work together in a less formal environment, helping to cement working relationships for the coming academic year.
Choose your preferred activities from the list below and complete the expression of interest form, giving your first and second choice preferences (the form is available at the bottom of this page).
The deadline for expressions of interest is Friday 18 October 2019.
If you require a paper copy of the brochure and expression of interest form, please contact our Reception on 01626 367 335.
The costs for activities have been calculated according to a maximum number of students taking part. If there are insufficient numbers of students opting for a particular activity, the activity may be subject to cancellation. We have ensured that there is a broad range of activities in terms of both interest and cost, which will enable everyone to participate in a worthwhile activity. Some establishments are still to finalise their 2020 prices; therefore, some costs may change after this guide has been circulated.
Expressions of interest for all activities must be completed via our online form found at the bottom of this page.
The deadline for expressions of interest is Friday 18 October 2019.
Should you require a paper version of this form, please contact our Reception on 01626 367 335. Once activities have been allocated, you will receive written confirmation and a payment date (if applicable) for each activity.
ACTIVITIES WILL NOT BE PAID FOR AT THE TIME OF ONLINE EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST. Once your activities have been confirmed in writing (as above), you will be required to pay online via your sQuid account. All payments are non-refundable, unless the activity is cancelled by the College. Once you place has been secured this cannot be changed, unless there are exceptional circumstances.
We regard Activities Week as an important part of your child’s development and, as a result, attendance is compulsory. Any unauthorised absence during this week could result in a Penalty Notice. Any absence should be notified in the usual manner through our absence lines on 01626 367335. If your child is unable to attend due to sickness we will be unable to refund any payments unless covered by an insurance policy where a residential activity has been booked. Absences, of 4 days or more, due to illness will require written medical evidence to be provided.
Any student, who does not book activities during the booking period, will automatically be enrolled on onsite supervision for the entire week. Students will be engaged in college-based activities and supervised by a member of staff at all times.
We have very high expectations regarding the conduct and behaviour of our students, both within the College and in the wider community. The majority of our students rise to these expectations and are a credit to both the College and their families. It is therefore vitally important that these standards are maintained, particularly on offsite visits where the reputation of the College is at stake. In order to keep students safe and allow everyone to enjoy their activities, students will NOT be permitted to take part in offsite activities if, between October 2019 and June 2020, they:
Whilst we do not anticipate any major concerns or issues to arise with students selected to participate on any offsite visits, it should be noted that we may reserve the right to remove students who we feel may fail to achieve the high standards of conduct. In the unlikely event of this happening, the decision will be made by the Principal of the College and would be a last resort. In these circumstances any monies paid will not be refunded.
Details of each activity, cost, applicable year groups and maximum numbers of attendees is provided to help you decide the right activities for your child.
Residential: 4 Nights
The is an amazing action-packed opportunity to experience the culture of our capital city and visit live art and theatre. The trip will include West End Theatre performances at the Shakespeare’s Globe, exact shows to be confirmed, backstage tour of the National Theatre and visits to various museums, a Performing Arts Workshop and a London Eye Flight. The work produced during this week could go towards a Silver Arts Award.
Residential: 4 Nights
This is a great opportunity to experience a range of different water sports in various locations within Cornwall. Accommodation is based in Newquay, with students taking part in surfing, body boarding, kayaking and paddle boarding activities at Tolcarne beach, Newquay and Swanpool beach in Falmouth. Students will also have the opportunity to take part in a range of beach activities throughout the week. In the evenings, students will be involved in quizzes, beach games and a town trail. This is a fantastic opportunity for those students who are looking for an action-packed Activities Week. Students do not have to have any previous experience and all equipment is provided. All activities are run by experienced company, Elemental, who employ motivated and fully qualified activity coordinators.
Residential: 4 Nights
Accommodation at the Cohort Hostel in the centre of St Ives. All meals provided as are coach transfers from NAC to St Ives. The trip includes photography and sketching at the Eden Project and Lost Gardens of Heligan, visits to the Penwith Gallery, a Sketchbook Tour of the Tate St Ives, Sculpture Workshop at the Barbara Hepworth Gallery, a pottery throwing demonstration and tour of the Leach Pottery and a Photography Workshop. Also included is a walking tour and sketching around the Harbour, Town and Beach at St Ives. We will also be visiting the famous open air Minack Theatre to see an evening show. You will create a sketchbook of drawings and photos of your trip and gallery visits during the week.
The Brecon Beacons trip will be a great outdoor experience enjoying a wonderful part of the country. Experience Horse riding, Water sports and Climbing along with Mountain Walking. All activities will be run by experienced leaders and will push you out of your comfort zone. Accommodation will be in a fully equipped Bunkhouse in the Heart of the Beacons.
Residential: 3 Nights
On the Monday we will Leave Newton Abbot and travel to the Concorde 50 exhibition at Aerospace Bristol. In the evening we check into our central Bristol accommodation. While in Bristol we will take a Waterside Bristol ferry trip and Banksy/Street Art hunt, experience a water sports experience day (tbc) and visit SS Great Britain. Evening meals will be at local restaurants and one night we will have fish & chips. We will return to Newton Abbot on the Thursday evening. The Friday will be in college creating murals of our visit for display in corridors.
Residential: No
Day 1 – Surfing - experience surfing sessions for beginners and Intermediates in this beautiful South Hams setting combined with beach team building/competitive games. All equipment is provided to students
Day 2 – Splashdown - Take on the sheer speed of The Screamer and ride the Wild Kamikaze, but are you BRAVE enough to face the Devil's Drop? Tumble on tyres and twist through the tubes; check out the 8 adrenalin-pumping slides below; each with a varying degree of difficulty. For the less adventurous, the Swimming Area and Sun Terraces are perfect to relax in the sunshine
Day 3, 4 & 5 - Water Sports, Teignmouth - Learn to sail, kayak, paddleboard and windsurf: day trips based in the beautiful surrounds of Teignmouth Bay (and beyond). These days provide students with a gentle introduction for those who are new to watersports. Students do not have to have any previous experience and all equipment is provided.
Residential: No
The week of fishing is an opportunity to learn about the types of fish that can be caught in different waters and then experience a series of fishing trips on ponds and lakes with sessions of coaching. Equipment will be provided, including all licenses, tackle and bait. To prepare for the week there will also be the chance to do a couple of evening teaching sessions before Activities Week if required.
Residential: No
Day 1 – Kents Cavern & Bowling - In the morning students will visit Kents Cavern; a spectacular natural cave with an incredible history that began 400 million years ago. The tour of the cave gives an amazing insight into Ice Age life and an opportunity to see naturally formed chambers. Students will then head towards AMF bowling to enjoy a game in the lanes.
Day 2 – Battlefield Live & Foot Golf - In the morning you will visit Battlefield Live, an exciting infra-red combat game using sensor recognition. Unlike paintball or airsoft, Battlefield Live has no flying bullets, better still no bruising, no mess, and no steamy mask to wear. As there are no bullets to pay for you can shoot as often as you like!! Teams play out various missions during a session. In the afternoon you will test yourself in a round of Footgolf. The object of the game is to get the ball into the hole using only your feet in the fewest number of shots possible. The beauty of the game lies in your being able to strategically combine power and precision making it suitable for everyone.
Day 3 – Woodlands - Woodlands Family Theme Park is the largest family theme park in Devon, a fun filled day out for everyone. There’s something for anyone and everyone! With one of the largest and best indoor play areas in the South West, amazing water rides, a zoo farm and much more, there’s fun to be had rain or shine.
Day 4 – UCZ Paintball - Paintball is an action-packed combat game of strategy, daring, skill and teamwork.
Day 5 – River Dart Country Park & Treetops Challenge - A fun packed day outdoors including a fun and exciting treetop challenge. 21 Elements of high adrenalin fun, to test your nerve and confidence, crossing the river Dart. All safety equipment is provided for the treetop challenge.
Residential: No
Day 1 – River Dart Country Park & Treetops Challenge - A fun packed day outdoors including a fun and exciting treetop challenge. 21 Elements of high adrenalin fun, to test your nerve and confidence, crossing the river Dart. All safety equipment is provided for the treetop challenge
Day 2 – Woodlands - Woodlands Family Theme Park is the largest family theme park in Devon, a fun filled day out for everyone. There’s something for anyone and everyone! With one of the largest and best indoor play areas in the South West, amazing water rides, a zoo farm and much more, there’s fun to be had rain or shine.
Day 3 – Splashdown - Take on the sheer speed of The Screamer and ride the Wild Kamikaze, but are you BRAVE enough to face the Devil's Drop? Tumble on tyres and twist through the tubes; check out the 8 adrenalin-pumping slides below; each with a varying degree of difficulty. For the less adventurous, the Swimming Area and Sun Terraces are perfect to relax in the sunshine.
Day 4 – Crealy Theme Park & Resort - is an award winning family Theme Park in Devon that boasts over 60 rides and attractions, with spectacular live entertainment shows and animals galore, it's no wonder that Crealy Theme Park & Resort is regularly voted the best day out in Devon.
Day 5 – Decoy Water Sports – Take part in a structured lesson of ‘real’ kayaks and paddle boarding plus a session using sit on top kayaks and a new giant paddleboard! All equipment including wetsuits, buoyancy aids, heated changing rooms and hot showers included.
Residential: No
Day 1 - Pennywell Farm - A full day of hands on animal activities await every day with something new every half hour - just listen for the bell.
Day 2 - Shaldon Zoo - Set in an acre of woodland garden above the attractive coastal village of Shaldon, we look after, and help preserve, some of the rarest and most endangered animals in
Day 3 - Dartmoor Otters & Butterflies, Totnes Rare Breeds Farm using the Steam Train - With three top tourist attractions, Dartmoor Otters & Buckfast Butterflies at Buckfastleigh, the award-winning Totnes Rare Breeds Farm at Totnes and, linking the two, the award-winning South Devon Railway, Three Great Attractions, One Amazing Day has something for everyone. See otters from around the world and stunning tropical butterflies, enjoy a one hour’s round trip along the beautiful valley of the River Dart behind a Great Western Railway steam engine* and stroke the owls, feed the red squirrels, meet the hedgehogs!
Day 4 – Paignton Zoo - With over 2,500 animals across 80 acres – you’re in for a really wild time at Paignton Zoo. A place to roam, discover and get in touch with your inner animal. Get up close to some of the animal wonders of the world across the specially designed habitats - from the savannah to the wetlands and the tropical forest. Run wild in the play areas or hop aboard the unique Jungle Express train to get even closer to the action.
Day 5 - Crealy Animal Adventure Day – You will be met by an Animal Education Officer for an interactive classroom style session, meeting some of the Crealy Animal School residents and learning about them. There are also other activities on offer such as feeding, quizzes, talks on the animal residents, guinea pig fishing and pond dipping.
Residential: No
“You decide, you plan, you enjoy” are the principles behind this activity! You plan where we spend the week! A day at the beach? An afternoon in Exeter? A walk on the coast path? We will work together on Day 1 to plan an adventure by train for the remainder of the week. You will work out prices, times and activities to fit the budget and time we have each day. How far can we get on the great rail network available to us?
Residential: No
Spend two days becoming a detective and solving clues. You will visit an ‘escape room’ where your team will race against the clock to ESCAPE the room by solving puzzles, cracking codes and putting your mind to the test. You will also become a CSI detective using science to solve clues from a crime scene to identify ‘whodunnit!!’
For two days you will explore the Devon coastline on a boat trip around Torbay, visit living coasts and then learn about marine life and the effects of plastic pollution.
The final day will see you being creative and recycling while making displays from the collection of plastics and pebbles from the previous days.
Residential: No
Did your letter from Hogwarts get lost in the post? Maybe Errol delivered it to the wrong address because you have in fact been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!
Of course, the first thing you’ll need is a wand – we’ll make sure the right one chooses you. Join us to try your hand at potions, quidditch and some muggle magic. Contribute to your very own Quibbler and take a break with a butterbeer, pumpkin pasty and a chocolate frog after testing your Herbology skills. If you’re lucky, you might even get to meet some magical creatures… We’ll be taking a fantastic trip to Cornwall to discover dark secrets in the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic before finding out the origins of Merlin at King Arthur’s Great Halls and exploring the secrets of Tintagel Castle and Merlin’s Cave. The Harry Potter Studios will be your lasting impression as the magical finale of the week!
Residential: No
Spend the week becoming a rock star. You will form a band, cover and write songs, arrange your equipment and then perform them in a concert.
Residential: No
A series of cycling trips out from the school cycling in the Devon countryside or to the beach. An opportunity to get on your bike (subject to suitability - school bikes are available) and spend the day out of school cycling to a local destination. Cycling trips will include three days leisure cycling from school combined with two days using a minibus to transport cycles to start from a remote location including at least one day at Haldon Forest.
Residential: No
During the week you will delve into the fashion and textiles industry. You will experiment with Batik (wax-resist dyeing) and Tie and Dye, Fabric Printing, design your own t-shirt (using the skills learnt in the previous two days) felt making, take part in a fashion show and Visit the Coldharbour Mill Museum, Uffculme, Devon to get an insight to where textiles come from.
Residential: No
Students will spend the week taking part in a series of football-related activities based at College and run by Saints South West coaches. Each day will focus on a different theme including shooting, dribbling and passing. The week will be filled with individual competitions, as well as a World Cup style competition on the last day.
Residential: No
Come and learn some interesting techniques so you can make your own jewellery including bracelets, necklaces, charm bracelets, earrings, rings and more. For yourself or as gifts for friends and family. You’ll learn techniques including metal work cutting and bending, knot tying and gluing. Then try your hand at making candles and bath bombs. Finally, you will end the week creating papercraft cards and Gift boxes for your gifts. A fun but relaxing crafty activity for the creative types.
Residential: No
Students will spend time researching and planning what they would like to make for a traditional afternoon tea, as well as experiencing foods from different cultures. We will make all of the products and present them in a professional manner. We shall also be experimenting with different methods of cooking.
Residential: No
A week-long activity based in the workshops. You will design and make a fully functioning Wooden Jewellery Box- using traditional wood joinery techniques. You will have the opportunity to learn a range of workshop skills and apply that knowledge. Designing will be a big focus of what we do, so if drawing, designing and making is something you are interested in this might suit you well. There will also be an opportunity to use CAD/CAM. If this is a subject in which you think you may be interested in taking for GCSE- this would be a great taster session.
Residential: No
Budding artists can spend the week in the art workshop exploring a range of activities. Challenge yourself to produce a masterpiece from a variety of materials.
Residential: No
Connect with Nature through outdoor creativity. Transform the college garden to become a sensory area, vegetable garden and area designed to encourage wildlife. Make natural sculptures, wind chimes and seating using only recycled and natural items. End the week with a barbecue!
Residential: No
Spend the week playing a variety of sports. Dependent on the students involved this could include anything from a fun session in the swimming pool to ultimate frisbee. You decide!
Residential: No
A variety of fun but educational activities for you to complete from Computer Graphics to making Apps, Cartoons and Animations. If you like computing this is the activity for you!
