Following on from the success of last year's Summer School we are pleased to announce we are running it again this year. Summer School will be on during the first week of the Summer holidays starting on Monday 24th July and finishing on Friday 28th July. It is only open to new students starting at FitzWimarc in September.
We have planned an action-packed week full of team-building challenges, activities and workshops. the students that attended last year thoroughly enjoyed themselves and this year we have added even more activities to the program including sport and art sessions. The week also provides the perfect opportunity for your children to familiarize themselves with the school and meet some of the staff and VI form students.
The students will be split into groups and supervised by a VI form leader, each day has a different theme and they will work through a series of games and challenges each day.
Summer School is a 5-day programme running from 08:30 - 15:00. You will receive a letter from the school with payment instructions and your unique payment reference. The week is £150 per student which includes a full programme of activities and a T-shirt.
Our Summer School provides a fun, active introduction to life at FitzWimarc. It gives your child the perfect opportunity to familiarise themselves with the school, meet some of the staff, existing students and make new friends.
We appreciate that the transition to secondary school can be daunting so this fun filled week should give them all the confidence they need for starting at FitzWimarc in September. Our Summer school program offers a range of activities suitable for all students. They will learn to work together and bond as a team.
The focus is on how well they work together. Teams are rewarded for supporting and encouraging one another.
The Hub Challenge is comprised of 32 different team building and problem solving activities. We pick a range of activities from our bank of logical and physical challenges. The Hub encourages the students to plan, communicate, work together and stay motivated in a fun, energy packed activity day.
After the morning briefing they will head outside in their groups to focus on their team building skills. The emphasis is on students taking ownership of their learning, using critical thinking to develop ideas on how to solve the challenges. Their social skills are enhanced as they learn to communicate with their team mates, on plans and solutions as well as evaluating their own performance after the activity.
Activities in The Bushcraft Challenge
Participants work in their groups as they rotate around a number of different stations. These will include up to four of the following options:
Water Purification
Including location, filtration and purification. Finding water in different environments is a challenge. Consequently, we look at the obvious locations to the obscure. Once found, ensuring water is clean enough for human consumption is the next step, and students will have the opportunity to build a suitable filter for purification.
Shelter building
A key survival skill, participants get to plan, design and build their own shelters in this hands on session. Be it for themselves or small animals, they will have a set amount of time to use the resources provided to construct a shelter capable of withstanding the elements. More advanced sessions include knot tying skills.
Navigation
We guide students through how to navigate using a combination of natural and man-made methods. These sessions vary significantly between primary and secondary age groups. Celestial navigation, plant tracking, maps, compasses and pacing are all techniques which can be taught.
Wood Whittling
Participants will be carving objects out of wood which they will be able to keep and take home with them. Pencils, jewellery, tent pegs, mallets and whistles are just some of the items they will be able to craft.
Cordage
Using natural fibres, students will be taught how to create a range of different rope-like materials, which can then be used for jewellery, securing objects or as part of a wood whittling project such as a dream catcher.
Tree, plant and animal Identification
Students will learn about the local flora and fauna through a combination of discussion and activities. Special emphasis is placed on indigenous species in the UK. The various uses of each tree and plant (such as which are edible or highly poisonous). Sessions also incorporate basic animal tracking and habitat identification.
Fire Lighting
We start by discussing basic fire safety, principles and the science behind fire creation. Students will have the opportunity to observe and utilise a range of different fire lighting techniques and materials, both natural and man-made. Once they get the hang of keeping their fire burning, participants will be able to experience the freedom of cooking over an open fire if they have time (food allergy dependant).
The Time Attack team building challenge has a strong focus on fun. Encouraging friendly competition, teams will run, crawl, plan and laugh their way across a range of over 35 timed activities.
CATAPULT BUILDING
Teams will need to work together, pool their talents and delegate tasks in order to be successful in this high-energy team activity! Catapult Building brings together a wide range of skills for an educational and entertaining activity session. Groups will need to come up with a comprehensive plan of action to decide what style of catapult they want to build, and who will be responsible for each different element. Time management is crucial as participants fine-tune their design, and plan what materials they will need to make their vision come to life. Accurate budgeting of funds will be vital as teams may have to think of alternative ways of building their catapult.
During the building phase, teams will be problem-solving as they go. They will need to find solutions to problems they previously had not thought about as the build progresses. Critically, a Plan B and spare parts could be the saviour of a catapult. Lack thereof could mean its downfall!
ORIENTERRING CHALLANGE
Orienteering activities at school provide exciting outdoor adventures which involve walking or running whilst navigating around a course using a map and sometimes a compass. The aim is to move between a set of control points, finding tags at the correct locations. It does not matter how young, old or fit you are, as you can run, walk or jog the course and progress at your own pace.
ART
We are excited to inform you that our upcoming summer school program will include a dedicated Art & PE segment, providing your children with a fantastic opportunity to explore their creativity and express themselves through various artistic mediums. Our qualified and experienced art teachers will engage students in a wide range of art activities, including drawing, painting, crafts, and art appreciation. Through these activities, your children will not only enhance their artistic skills but also develop their imagination, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities. They will have the chance to learn about famous artists and their masterpieces, fostering an appreciation for art history and diverse artistic styles. We look forward to witnessing your children's artistic growth and the incredible artwork they will create during our summer school.
You will soon receive an email soon asking you for your child's preference for either Art or PE as their chosen breakout group. This is not set in stone, but for our prep, we need an indication of potential numbers for each group.
We are thrilled to announce that our upcoming summer school program will feature an engaging Physical Education (PE) component, ensuring your children stay active, healthy, and have a lot of fun. Our dedicated PE teachers will lead students in a variety of sports activities, outdoor games, and fitness exercises. They will have the opportunity to participate in team sports, where they will learn the importance of teamwork, cooperation, and good sportsmanship. Our program will also include exciting outdoor games like tag, relay races, and obstacle courses, promoting physical fitness, coordination, and problem-solving skills. Through our PE program, we aim to inspire a love for physical activity, instil healthy habits, and nurture a positive attitude towards an active lifestyle.
We believe that by including Art and PE in our summer school program, we can provide a well-rounded experience that nurtures creativity, physical fitness, and personal development. We are confident that your children will have an amazing time exploring their artistic talents and engaging in exciting physical activities. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We look forward to a fantastic summer school experience for your children.
You will soon receive an email soon asking you for your child's preference for either Art or PE as their chosen breakout group. This is not set in stone, but for our prep, we need an indication of potential numbers for each group.
Our Summer School will take place Monday to Friday from 8.30 - 15.00. The week will start on Monday 24th July and finish on Friday 28th July. We have a limited number of places for the week. Please complete the registration form to reserve your place. You will then receive a letter from the school with payment instructions and your unique payment reference code. If you are eligible for free school meals please refer to the invite letter from the school.
For you information the correct bank details are :
The FitzWimarc school
Lloyds Bank sort code 30-96-94
Account Number - 25197860
You have received a unique bank reference in your letter.
Hockley Road, Rayleigh SS6 8EB, UK 
£150 per student
