First joint Field Day

Every term, we hold a Field Day, where students from both Senior schools are offered a wide array of hands-on learning and adventure opportunities tailored to each year group. These Field Day trips enrich students’ leadership and practical skills, promote teamwork and provide real-world learning in dynamic yet enriching environments. This year was the first year that we had joint trips from Year 8 and above.

Here is a look at this year’s Field Day:

Year 7 Boys’ School – Paccar Scout campsite
This year marked the fifth of the Year 7 Field Day trip to Paccar Scout campsite. Every year the trip has been a success, and this term was no different! The key aim of the day was to spend time in their Houses and to get to know each other better. At the campsite, students got stuck into activities like leap of faith, archery, laser tag, pedal karts, climbing walls and tomahawks. With a top level of involvement in the activities, the boys have all bonded more and gained a fantastic, shared experience. They also made a very good name for themselves, and the staff at Paccar commented on how polite and well behaved they were – well done for representing the school in such a brilliant manner.

Year 8 Joint trip – three canoe trail locations 
Our Year 8 students had an incredible experience at their Field Day! Today was packed with adventure, challenge and team-bonding. For the first time ever, the Boys’ School and Girls’ School students collaborated for an excellent canoe trail Field Day experience. During the Survival Skills sessions, pupils learned how to build shelters, light fires using natural materials, purify water to make it safe to drink and even master a range of practical knots. These hands-on experiences encouraged teamwork, problem-solving and resilience.
The River Trip was another highlight, as pupils took to the water in canoes, kayaks and on stand-up paddleboards. Under the expert guidance of some of the UK’s best water sports instructors, they developed river safety and rescue skills while enjoying the beauty of one of our closest major rivers. The day brought incredible challenges, with one student saying, “rowing as a team and getting to know my year was really fun”.
Our Year 8s returned with new friendships and memories made, a fantastic adventure that truly captured the Habs spirit!

Year 9 Joint – start of the Bronze DofE journey 
Field Day marked the beginning of an exciting new adventure for our Year 9 students as they embarked on their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award. The students spent the day learning key navigation and expedition skills – from reading maps and using a compass to planning routes and working together as a team. It was fantastic to see their enthusiasm, determination and growing independence as they began this important milestone in their DofE journey. A brilliant start to what promises to be a rewarding experience!

Year 10 to 13 CCF – various locations 
Our Habs cadets hit an exciting milestone as they took part in the first Field Day of the year. Across the Navy, RAF, and Army sections, Field Day was a resounding success, full of learning, laughter and leadership. Each group developed new skills, strengthened bonds, and embraced being a member of the Habs CCF programme. Our cadets returned to school with new experiences to share and friendships developed within their teams. A fantastic start to the CCF year!

• Royal Navy Section: our Navy cadets headed to Queen Mary’s Sailing Centre and Willen Lake, where they spent the day out on the water under the expert guidance of the centre’s professional RYA instructors. Cadets refined their sailing techniques, learned to adapt to changing wind conditions, and gained greater confidence handling their boats.
• Royal Air Force Section: The RAF cadets enjoyed a thrilling day at Banbury Gliding Club, where they took to the skies once again. Each cadet had the opportunity to experience flight in a glider, reinforcing their understanding of powerless flight and the principles of aviation.
• Army Section: meanwhile, our Army cadets ventured to the Wormsley Estate in High Wycombe for a day of hands-on adventure and teamwork. Guided by expert survival instructors, they learned essential outdoor skills, from shelter building and fire lighting to navigation and fieldcraft techniques.