Arete - 2026
On Monday, 23rd February, we took 27 adventurous Year 9 students to the depths of North Wales for the week. Whilst the drive was long and the initial weather was very stormy, it did start to clear slightly once we arrived in Wales, and we had the chance to awe at the stunning scenery as we approached the many mountains and rivers cascading down the hills. Upon arriving at the Arete Centre in Llanrug, the pupils quickly dropped their bags off and got changed for an afternoon of rafting on the lakes with, many of the pupils having the chance to find out just how cold the water is during winter!
The weather certainly tested us with most days having significant wind and rain, however the pupils resilience was fantastic and we still managed a full range of activities, including; exploring abandoned slate mines with nothing but a small headtorch, ziplining across a quarry, body boarding in the Irish Sea, canoeing across the lakes, gorge walking, rock climbing, completing a blind obstacle course, as well as enjoying several walks through the mountains and surrounding areas! The pupils were truly fantastic and overcame many fears, working together to overcome problems and difficult situations, showcasing some excellent resilience and camaraderie. Even though we returned exhausted from all the activity, we all wished we could have stayed an extra few days!
Well done to all the students who attended; you were fantastic. A huge thank you to Miss Flatman and Mr. Foley for accompanying me and making the week even more enjoyable for our students.
Mr Matthews
Trip Leader
"Students are getting stuck in with their outdoor activities in Arete, starting with rafting on the river followed by rock climbing, abseiling and rambling. They are a credit to themselves!"
Arete 1
"Lots of fun and laughter had by all on the nightline in Arete this evening!"
Arete 2
"Another exhilarating day in Arete full of zip-lining, body boarding and an evening coastal walk to a local castle, ending the night with hot chocolate and cake!"
Arete 3
