Trek Up Tryfan

 

On the 24 Feb, a small group of 4 students climbed Tryfan in Wales as a team building day and training for the Kenya trip in June with Mr Brown, Mr Canney and Ms Cunliffe. All of us started off tired in the morning, sleeping the whole hour and a half hour journey to North Wales. We stopped by an equipment shop to get fitted with the proper walking boots and also to grab some sandwiches for the mountain. After a short 15-minute drive, we reached the mountain. Mr Brown gave us all maps and a short run-down of the plan for the day.

The hike took a total of 6 hours. Even though some of us were exhausted before the first hour was over, the breathtaking views definitely made up for it. As we climbed the mountain carefully, Mr Brown who was very skilled since he’d been up the mountain more than a hundred times, made sure to check on us every step of the way and pointed out many cool routes and interesting facts about the mountain. Our excitement really peaked as we got to see a light snow shower fall on the mountain in front of us. Pockets of icy snow could be found as we were climbing so we obviously had to stop for the occasional snowball fight. We had a meal break where we ate sandwiches and had hot Ribena!

Our whole journey to the south summit via the Heather Terrace took around 3-4 hours. We were greeted by the most beautiful blue sky. The scene in front of us almost looked like it was a painting. The trek downhill was more challenging and filled with a lot of screams as we stepped into muddy pools that consumed whole boots. Nevertheless, we got to the base of the mountain just after the sky turned dark and celebrated with McDonalds on the way back!

This was definitely a new experience for most of us and we are so grateful to have experienced this 830m mountain climb with the help from all 3 teachers!

      

Here is what some of us gained from this experience:

“The walk was so surreal and meaningful; I enjoyed every bit of it! The best part was most definitely when we threw snowballs off the cliff together. Team bonding was a success!”

-Risa, 6.1.

“Whoever said coming down was easier lied”

-Shannon, 6.1.

  

– Written by Tara, 6.1.

Red Nose Day 2019

On Red Nose Day, the school allowed us to wear our pyjamas and flip-flops to school for a minimum one-pound donation. Students and teachers alike strode around in “adorable” animal onesies, flannel pyjamas or T-shirts and shorts. One or two of them carried their teddy bears and other stuffed animals around too. In particular, Mr Kerslake – the Vice Principal, stole the show when he showed up in a nightgown.

I initially did not want to spend a whole day in my pyjamas, but for various reasons I changed my mind in the end… It totally wasn’t because I overslept and only realised I was still in my pyjamas after I rushed to school. It was most certainly because I found the event too fun to pass up. Regardless, I had a great time and plenty of laughs with the rest of my pyjama-clad friends and schoolmates.

In a good display of racial harmony, multiculturalism and international relationships, many of Concord’s international students participated in the event despite it being only the first or second time they had ever experienced Red Nose Day. In some cases, international students did not even know what the day was about until days before!

We raised over £540 for charity in the space of a day. It was very heart-warming to see that so many of us had sympathies for the less privileged and were willing to take action to remedy it.

Nicholas – 6.1

Mandela Charity Movie Night

Last Saturday, the Mandela ‘Charity Movie Night’ team held a screening of the musical film which has been the talk of the year, “The Greatest Showman”. Students and staff spent time together on the lawn just behind Main Hall to watch the film. It was projected onto the back of the building which mimicked the likes of a cinema. There were blankets and benches which were fully occupied, for everyone to enjoy the movie from. The crowd cheered and jeered throughout the movie and some even sang along with the songs. Despite the chilly night, the love and joy shared then managed to make it a warm one, especially on the inside.

As an effort to raise funds for the Severn Hospice Charity, a stall was set up by the team selling pizza, fried chicken, hot chocolate and homemade bubble tea – true favourites of Concord students. Alongside that, raffle tickets were sold too. The efforts put into planning such a meaningful event where the Concord community came together were all well worth it as this event alone raised a sum of £332.75, which was subsequently donated to the Severn Hospice Charity.

Jane – 6.2