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Bethany Enrichment Week

The final full week of the academic year saw Bethany pupils step beyond the classroom for another exciting Enrichment Week. Across three days, pupils in Years 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12 embraced a varied programme of educational visits, outdoor pursuits and team-building activities, designed to broaden horizons, strengthen friendships and create lasting memories.


Year 7 pupils enjoyed an action-packed start to the week, taking to the water at Action Watersports, discovering the wildlife at Port Lympne and exploring the historic surroundings of Chatham Dockyard.

Years 8 and 9 combined cultural visits with exhilarating days at some of the UK’s favourite theme parks, making the most of the warm summer weather, while Year 10 took part in a carefully planned programme that encouraged collaboration, resilience and plenty of fun.

For Year 12, the week balanced preparation for life beyond Bethany with opportunities to relax and celebrate the end of the year. Alongside personal statement guidance, interview workshops and university-focused sessions, pupils then rounded off the week with a thrilling visit to Thorpe Park.


Enrichment Week: Year 7

Year 7 enjoyed a splendid few days to round off the past academic year as part of this year’s Enrichment Week programme. This year saw trips to Action Watersports, Port Lympne Animal Park and Chatham Historic Dockyard.

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Day 1: Action Watersports

 

Enrichment Week started with a trip to Action Watersports and the excitement was palpable as pupils prepared to set depart School on Wednesday morning. The day started with pupils taking to the water for some paddle boarding, which was enjoyed by all. After topping up on suntan lotion, this was followed by the giant inflatable assault course. In the afternoon pupils took to the water again to be towed on giant bananas and other inflatables behind a powerboat. It was fantastic to see how much fun pupils had during the day and it was safe to say that the children were very tired on the bus back to School.

 


 

Day 2: Port Lympne

 

After the intense activity of Wednesday, pupils had the chance to enjoy a day with a slightly slower pace with a visit to Port Lympne Zoo. Pupils enjoyed touring around the zoo in their various group and finding out a bit more about the animals that live there. The gorillas were a huge hit. At lunchtime, pupils set off on a safari which allowed them to see a range of animals including the giraffes and camels.

 


 

Day 3: Chatham Historic Dockyard

 

Friday saw the pupils finish off the week with a visit to Chatham Historic Dockyard. Whilst there, pupils had the benefit of being taken on a tour of the historic site to visit the historic ships that are located there. Whilst there, the pupils took part in a rocket workshop which had them working in teams to create their own rockets. George and Lorcan were crowned winners. It was fantastic to see just how much fun the pupils had with their various tasks on this final day of the academic year.

 


 

Throughout the week, and indeed throughout the year the pupils have shone in terms of their determination and camaraderie. They are a close knit year group and it has been a pleasure to witness them developing over the course of the year. These final trips of Year 7 were a fitting way to celebrate the end of their first year at Bethany. I have no doubt that they will continue go from strength to strength as they move up through the School over the coming years.

 

I’ll save my last lines of this report to extend my thanks to the staff who supported the trips throughout the week without whom they would not have been possible and of course to wish the pupils a very relaxing and well-earned summer break.

 

Mr Clough
Head of Year 7

 

 


Enrichment Week: Years 8 and 9

Our Years 8 and 9 pupils rounded off a busy and successful academic year with an action-packed Enrichment Week, filled with adventure, friendly competition and plenty of laughter.

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Day 1: Outdoor Adventure

 

The week began with an exciting day of outdoor pursuits, where pupils challenged themselves across a range of activities including archery, climbing, clay pigeon shooting, quad biking and the ever-popular Air Drop. Pupils and staff alike embraced every challenge, making the most of a fantastic day outdoors.

 

There were some standout performances throughout the day. Congratulations to Andrew S (Year 9) and Orrin C (Year 8), who shared the title of Best Shot in the clay pigeon shooting competition. Etta S (Year 9) impressed everyone with her climbing skills to earn the title of Best Climber, while Group 3 (Year 8 Boys) took home the award for Best Overall Group thanks to their teamwork, enthusiasm and determination.

 


 

Day 2: Discovering Leeds Castle

 

Thursday saw pupils travel to the beautiful Leeds Castle for a day combining history, exploration and fun. They enjoyed exploring the magnificent castle and its stunning grounds before taking on the famous maze, obstacle course and a round of crazy golf, which proved to be one of the day’s biggest hits.

 

A particular highlight was a private falconry display, giving pupils the chance to see these magnificent birds up close and learn more about them. The annual photography competition also took place during the visit, with pupils capturing the beauty of the castle and its surroundings. The winning photographs, along with several highly commended entries, will soon be displayed in the Day Room for everyone to enjoy.

 


 

Day 3: Thrills at Chessington

 

The week concluded with an exciting trip to Chessington, where pupils enjoyed a day packed with rollercoasters, attractions and plenty of smiles. As always, there was no shortage of encouragement for staff members to join the rides… sometimes rather reluctantly! Fortunately, everyone survived to tell the tale, and the shared laughter made for a memorable finale to an outstanding week.

 


 

Enrichment Week has been a wonderful way to bring another successful school year to a close. A huge thank you goes to all of the staff who organised and supported the trips, and to our Years 8 and 9 pupils for their enthusiasm, excellent behaviour and willingness to embrace every opportunity. We wish them all a happy, restful and well-deserved summer break.

 

Miss King
Head of Years 8 and 9

 

 


Enrichment Week: Year 10

Year 10 embraced the spirit of Enrichment Week with three days packed full of adventure, teamwork and unforgettable experiences. Blessed with glorious summer weather, pupils challenged themselves, supported one another and created memories that will last long after the holidays.

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Day 1: Making a Splash

 

The week got off to a fantastic start with a visit to St Andrews Lakes, where pupils enjoyed an exciting day on and in the water. From working together in bell boats to testing their balance on paddle boards, everyone embraced the challenge with enthusiasm.

 

For many, the highlight of the day was tackling the aqua park, with its inflatable obstacles, slides and plenty of spectacular splashes! The combination of sunshine, teamwork and laughter made for a brilliant start to the week.

 


 

Day 2: Reaching New Heights

 

Thursday brought even more adventure as pupils took on the high ropes course before heading to Bedgebury. High above the ground, Year 10 demonstrated impressive determination and resilience, encouraging one another every step of the way as they navigated the challenging course.

 

The day also brought some wonderful compliments from members of the public, who commented on how polite, respectful and well-mannered our pupils were throughout the visit. They were excellent ambassadors for Bethany School, and we are incredibly proud of the way they represented our community.

 


 

Day 3: A Wild Finish

 

To round off an action-packed week, Year 10 visited Port Lympne for an unforgettable safari experience. Pupils enjoyed getting up close to an incredible variety of animals, learning more about conservation while exploring one of the UK’s most impressive wildlife parks.

 

It was the perfect way to celebrate the end of a fantastic week and welcome the start of the summer holidays.

 


 

A huge well done to all of our Year 10 pupils for embracing every opportunity with such positivity, enthusiasm and teamwork. Thank you also to the staff who organised and supported the trips, helping to make this year’s Enrichment Week such a memorable success.

 

Mr Bolton
Head of Years 10 and 11

 

 


Enrichment Week: Year 12

As the end of term approached, Year 12 pupils enjoyed an Enrichment Week designed to strike the perfect balance between preparing for life beyond Bethany and celebrating a fantastic year together. From CV workshops and university applications to dodgeball, air hockey and a thrilling trip to Thorpe Park, it was a packed three days that combined productivity with plenty of fun!

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Day 1: Looking Ahead

 

The week began with a focus on future pathways. Visitor Anne Cameron led an insightful workshop on CV writing and apprenticeships, giving pupils valuable advice on presenting themselves to prospective employers and exploring the growing range of apprenticeship opportunities.

 

Anne Cameron with Elias.

 

Next came one of the week’s highlights: our Alumni Networking Event. We were delighted to welcome 24 former Bethany pupils back to school, where they shared their experiences of university, apprenticeships and working life. Current Year 12 pupils had the chance to ask questions, make connections and gain first-hand insight into the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.

 

Coffee and Connections Alumni Coffee Morning.

 

The remainder of the day was dedicated to making a strong start on personal statements, with pupils drafting and refining the opening section of one of the most important documents in their UCAS journey.

 

To round off the day, it was time to swap laptops for trainers! Pupils could choose between an energetic game of dodgeball with Mr Khan or learning practical self-defence skills with Mrs Healy, both proving to be a brilliant way to finish a productive day (and watching England win their game!).

 

Self defence in the Bethany sports hall.

 

Self defence in the Bethany sports hall.

 

Watching England eventually beat DR Congo in the World Cup in the Sixth Form Centre.

 


 

Day 2: Building Skills

 

The second day continued the focus on preparing for the future. Visitor Jane Marshall delivered an engaging interview skills workshop, equipping pupils with practical tips and techniques to help them shine in interviews for university, apprenticeships and employment.

 

Pupils then continued developing their personal statements, completing further paragraphs before exploring online learning opportunities through MOOCs and AI-related courses, encouraging them to think about how they can continue learning independently over the summer.

 

The afternoon featured an important road safety presentation from Kent County Council, titled “What to Do Post Collision?”, providing valuable advice for many pupils as they begin driving independently.

 

Road safety presentation in the PPC.

 

Road safety presentation in the PPC.

 

The day ended on a lighter note with a fiercely competitive air hockey tournament in The Orchard. With a “winner stays on” format, the competition quickly became one of the week’s most entertaining events, with plenty of laughter and some surprisingly impressive skills on display!

 


 

Day 3: One Last Adventure

 

After two days of preparing for the future, it was time to celebrate. Year 12 headed off to Thorpe Park for an action-packed day of rollercoasters, thrills and well-earned fun together before the summer break. It was the perfect opportunity to unwind, make memories and enjoy one final adventure as a year group before returning in September as Bethany’s senior pupils.

 


 

As pupils head into the summer, they have been challenged to make the most of the weeks ahead by gaining work experience, polishing their personal statements and researching their next steps, whether that involves university, apprenticeships or employment. With UCAS choices beginning to take shape, this summer represents an exciting and important stage in their journey.

 

I wish all of our Year 12 pupils a restful, enjoyable and productive summer, and look forward to welcoming them back in September for an exciting final year at Bethany.

 

Mr Duff
Head of Sixth Form