FUN IN SPAIN

On 23rd May, 45 of our Year 9 and 10 students jetted off to an activity centre near Cartagena, Spain for four days of water sports, sightseeing and fine-tuning their Spanish skills before the start of their half term. Every day started with an hour-long Spanish lesson, prepping the students for the day ahead. Whether the group was exploring Cartagena’s impressive amphitheatre, heading to a nearby street market, sailing or kayaking, they were equipped with new vocabulary and phrases to suit the activities. The staff at the activity centre, Arbolar, arranged evening games such as musical charades and spoke with students almost exclusively in Spanish, meaning their language skills had improved tremendously by the end of the trip.

The water sports were, of course, a highlight.  The warm waters of the Mar Menor with the view of the exclusive La Manga resort across the lagoon were a perfect setting for the students to try their hands at sailing, kayaking and, on the last day, paddle boarding.  With many qualified instructors on hand, the students quickly got the hang of things and loved the chance to try something new.

For the last night, the wonderful Arbolar Centre staff hosted a leaving party, which included a talent show with performances from staff and students, showcasing their musical, acrobatic and magic skills! The following morning was a bittersweet farewell with Mr Douglas presenting awards such as ‘most effort to use Spanish’ and ‘funniest comment’ to mark the end of a fantastic trip.

All the students had a memorable time and enjoyed the trip immensely.  The staff involved (Miss Oliver, Mrs Dabbaj, Mr Sloan, Miss Read and Mr Douglas) saw real progress in the students’ Spanish and confidence, with many saying they want to go back next year!

Spain inside

 

Posted on: 19/07/2019