On Thursday 18 September, 108 of our Year 7 students took part in an exciting and memorable trip to Tapnell Aqua Park as part of their introduction to life at Carisbrooke College. The day was full of energy, laughter, and plenty of opportunities for our new students to demonstrate courage one of our key CASTLE values.

For many, this was their first time at the Aqua Park, and it was fantastic to see them push themselves out of their comfort zones. Students showed remarkable bravery, whether it was overcoming a fear of heights by leaping from the 4m platform into the water, persevering through the challenge of swimming in the cold, or trying out slides, flips, and obstacle challenges on the inflatables, including trying to get past Mr Peake on the narrow passages.

The staff team played a huge role in making the day such a success. Their encouragement, enthusiasm, and humour inspired students to get the most out of the experience. A special thank you goes to:

Mrs Lythgoe, who showed the patience of a saint while guiding students through the sometimes comical task of putting on wetsuits.

Ms Ezard, Miss Osbourne, Mr Westby, Mr Turner, and Mr Briscoe, whose relentless energy kept students motivated to push themselves and make the most of every moment on the water.

Mrs Smith, whose calm support helped ensure all students had a safe and enjoyable day.

Of course, no trip would be complete without some unforgettable (and slightly funny) moments. Despite the combined efforts of around 20 students, Mr Briscoe somehow managed to stay dry for far too long, a feat of endurance in itself! Meanwhile, Mr Turner and Mr Westby showed true courage of their own by holding hands as they braved the biggest slide together, much to the delight of the watching students.

Overall, the day was a brilliant start to our Year 7s’ journey at Carisbrooke College. They returned tired but happy, having made new memories and friendships while living out our CASTLE values.