Last week a group of our Year 5 children, parents and staff had an amazing few days at Corrymeela on the North Coast with children, parents and staff from Whitehouse Primary School. The residential was funded by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, the Family Holiday Association, the Community Relations Council, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Community Relations In Schools.
We worked along with Community Relations In Schools (CRIS), exploring friendship, identity, story telling and community building. Throughout the residential there was a lovely relaxed atmosphere and gave everyone a chance to bond together and have a great time.
The lashing wind and howling rain did little to dampen spirits on the first afternoon as children and parents worked together in the Mini-Olympic games that the volunteers had set up, before the children and parents split up for their first group session.
While the parents spent some time in the Croí, the children had great fun playing the Chaos game (at 100mph!) with Corrymeela's enthusiastic team of volunteers.
The first day came to a close with parents and children co-operating in the Pirate Treasure Hunt, with the added challenge of being completed in the dark! Luckily, the volunteers had some torches at hand!
The next day we drew back the curtains to see the sun shining on Rathlin Island as a lovely calm North Atlantic Ocean rippled its way onto the North Coast. A much better day, but still cold!
The group made their way into Ballycastle. Most of us caught the bus, but a few hardy souls braved the walk into the town! Children and parents spent some free time together before everyone headed down to the Play Park and the Beach for some hot orange and a game of Cricket/Rounders in which children, parents and staff all participated.
Back at Corrymeela, the parents headed for the tranquillity of the Croí as the children took part in some top secret Art activities, making love-catchers and masks to present to their parents on the third day. The mask activity was particularly exciting!
The day drew to a close with some party games and a DVD for the children as the parents took a well-earned break during some free time.
On the final day, the children completed their art work and hid in the smaller area of the Croí to surprise their parents by 'picking them up from school'. Parents were delighted as the children presented their gifts, which was a lovely moment.
There was just time for a few more rounds of the 'Pony Song' and 'There Was a Moose' (which by now were almost second nature for both children and adults) before we said our goodbyes and boarded the bus home for the mystical kingdom of Newtownabbey.
A special thanks to all the children and parents from both St James's PS and Whitehouse PS who helped to make this such a memorable and inspiring three days.
A further thanks to the amazing team of volunteers; Melissa, Analeena, Claudia, Chris and of course King Kyle himself, of whom the children were very fond!
Finally, a huge thanks to David and Catherine from CRIS who facilitated the trip and made everything possible!
The trip was a lovely experience for all who attended and there are already plans to follow up on the friendships made during this residential - watch this space!
