Telephone: 01202 876 556
office@fernmid.dorset.sch.uk
Ferndown Middle School
Peter Grant Way Ferndown Dorset BH22 9UP

Mill on the Brue 2016

Posted on 13/06/2016

It’s 09h30 on Monday 23 May and it’s “All Aboard!” for the Owls, Robins, Moles and Badgers (not forgetting the “A” team aka Mr Herringshaw, Mr Higgins, Miss Owen and myself Madame Vincent.)

MOTB 2016 34

Our destination? Mill On The Brue, Bruton, Somerset.

Our mission? To build teams; solve problems; face challenges; establish new friendships; increase our environmental awareness; focus on our “growth mindset” (as opposed to a “fixed mindset”) and ……….. to have FUN!

Our success criteria? 41 happy, exhausted pupils with tales to tell and memories to treasure.

So what is Mill On The Brue all about?  It’s an outdoor activity centre set in its own beautiful 25-acres of fields, woods and a river valley which was established nearly 40 years ago by the current owner’s parents.   Pupils spend every waking moment involved in a variety of activities in a group of ten with an instructor and an adult from FMS.   Those who enjoy the great outdoors were in their  element, sleeping in camp beds in good, old fashioned ridge tents.  Those with a healthy appetite were never disappointed with variety of home cooked comestibles awaiting us in the dining hall.  Those who enjoy getting wet, loved the Water Slide.  Those who love speed, squealed on the Grass Toboggans.  Those who relish the thought of maybe getting wet, had fun Canoeing, Raft Building and Crossing the River.  For those with a keen eye, then Archery and Rifle Shooting were favourites.  Those who like heights (or want to conquer their fear of them) had numerous opportunities with the Crate Stack, Tree Climbing, High All Aboard, Leap of Faith and the Zip Wire.  For those who revel in competition, Crazy Olympics and the Assault Course Race fuelled them with adrenaline.

Did we succeed in our mission? In the words of one of our Year 8 pupils :

“Mill On The Brue was just amazing; I made so many memories there.  I couldn’t have done it without the support of my group and my wonderful instructor, James.  He helped me through overcoming my fears.  I have made so many more friends.  All of the activities were fun and enjoyable and such a good laugh.  The teamwork in my group was just amazing – we helped each other through everything no matter what.  The food at Mill On The Brue was very, very nice (“Zero Heroes”).  This was an adventure I will never forget.”

Madame Vincent

Trip Leader