Farlington Takes to the Slopes
02 Feb 2015
On 13th December, 49 pupils and 6 members of staff went on the Farlington School ski trip to Serre Chevalier in south eastern France. This annual event is open to all pupils in Years 7 to13 and provides many girls with their first opportunity to ski.
Ella Bubb from Year 8 says, “Despite the snowfall not looking too good before we went, it snowed for most of the week meaning the skiing conditions were great. There was a variety of runs for us to try through the week. There was even a snow park which was so much fun! Our instructors were very supportive, as well as funny, meaning that by the end of the week I had improved greatly as well as having enjoyed myself!
“In the evenings, we were allowed to go into the village. After dinner, there was entertainment which was always great fun. It was also a good chance to get to know people from other year groups. My two favourite activities were ice skating and the ‘bin bag challenge’ which entailed dressing up someone in their group from the things they had collected in their bin bag. They had to be dressed up as something from a certain category. Then the teams were judged against each other!”
Ellie Burnell-Price from the Upper Sixth also had a memorable trip: “WOW… what a trip and a fantastic one for me to finish on! As I’m in my final year at Farlington, I decided I couldn’t miss going on the trip of the School calendar. I arrived at Gatwick, at goodness knows what time in the morning, a little anxious about being the only Sixth Former. Year 7s bombarded me with questions such as: “Are you staying in one of the teachers’ rooms?” (cringe) and “Are you here to help us?”, to which I replied, “No, I’ve paid for a holiday!” Luckily for me, the Year 11s took me under their wing and suddenly I had gone back in time, being treated as one of them. I think one of the specialities of the trip is that we do all become a Farlington family; all looking out for one another; all integrating with other years and I have definitely made some close friends for life… right from the Year 7s to the 11s.
“The skiing was fantastic and we only had a short chair lift journey until we reached the white slopes that could be enjoyed by all ability levels! It was an accidental communication that led me to being placed in the advanced group, but I am so pleased it happened! It was amazing and allowed me to really push myself in order to keep up!
“It was such an amazing trip and I couldn’t have enjoyed myself more. I loved spending time with all the girls and learning a sport that, without this opportunity, I wouldn’t have been able to experience. I want to say a huge thank-you to the girls for being so welcoming, but I want to say an even bigger thank you to all the staff – Mrs Binns, Miss Currell, Mrs Hawkins, Mr and Mrs Higgs, Mr Snewin and, of course, Miss Whittaker.”
Sara Whittaker, Director of PE and Games at Farlington, who organised the trip, comments: “Each year we have a fantastic time on the ski trip and this year was no exception. As Ellie said, we do all become a ‘Farlington family’. The ski resort and instructors were excellent and the girls and staff got on tremendously well: a brilliant bonding opportunity. It introduced many of the girls to a sport they had never tried before, while others were coming for a second or third time. At Farlington we believe it is essential all girls find a fitness activity they enjoy and can participate in well beyond their school years. Lifelong participation in physical activity is our aim and, hopefully, skiing is something the girls will be able to pursue in the future.”