Kielder Challenge

As part of the Big Lottery Fund projects being run by the Mid Sussex School Sports Partnership, a joint team of pupils from St Paul’s, Downlands and Oakmeeds united to take part in the Kielder Challenge. The event is designed to challenge their team building and problem solving skills through a series of outdoor activities.

The specially identified students from each of the schools has been taking part in regular training sessions, led by Phil Carey from the Mid Sussex YMCA and developed a strong team spirit prior to the event.

The challenge came about due to the School Sports Partnership, which helps link and fund special events for both primary and secondary schools, in this instance for those students with some difficulties, either physical or learning difficulties.

On the day the team went off to Boxhill in Surrey where they had to solve a series of challenges including navigating blind folded through a maze, building a brick tower by using tools they had to make and filtering water through a series of funnels which required all eight to work together. The team eventually finished third, so well done to everyone who took part.

The Sports Partnership also supported the training of a team at Newick House, who also entered the Challenge, this time held in Friston Forest, near Eastbourne. These students found it very challenging but enjoyable.

St Paul’s pupils who were involved included Paul Nash, Adam Heppell, Charlie Hodsoll, Edmond Antwi, Kerolous Samaan and Brian Parada.