Productive, fulfilling and fun: Field Day gives boys the chance to learn outside the classroom

Tonbridge’s boys had a day away from normal lessons and were able to immerse themselves in favourite activities and pursuits on Wednesday 4 October.

Field Day, which involved all pupils, offered an exciting programme with something for everyone, both at the School and in other locations.

Trips included a Brands Hatch visit, where boys watched a Formula 4 race and later went go-karting at Lakeside, while others mixed the old and the new with a visit to Hever Castle followed by laser tag.

Mountain biking, sailing, DinoGolf and riverside walks were among other activities, while some First Years even learned how to forage for ingredients and then cook lunch in their House garden.

Third Years from the Navy Section of the CCF attended a two-day powerboat course, gaining new qualifications, while the rest of the section were put through their paces as they tackled a “gun run” with a visiting member of the Armed Forces, finally heading to Bough Beech for some sailing in glorious, sunny conditions.

The latest Field Day gave boys the opportunity to broaden their experiences and to tackle their usual Wednesday Afternoon Activity in greater depth.

There were numerous events at the Tonbridge campus, ranging from chess, Go and bridge tournaments to creative writing, debating, art workshops, science projects, computer programming and cookery sessions. Those opting for conservation-themed activities tried their hands at hedge-laying in the School orchard, while sports included rackets and tennis tournaments.

James Fisher, Deputy Head Co-Curricular, said: “We gave the boys time away from their normal academic and co-curricular commitments, and the opportunity to explore one aspect of their school lives for a day.

“The chance to spend time with each other, and with members of staff, enhances the relationships central to our boys’ personal development, and our aim was for everyone to have a productive, fulfilling and fun day.”

Tonbridge’s community ethos was much in evidence during Field Day. A ‘Science for Schools’ session was hosted for primary school pupils from nearby Bishop Chavasse Church of England Primary School, while more than 150 local primary and secondary school children arrived at the Tonbridge School Centre, where they tried their hand at a variety of sports sessions, run by Tonbridge boys.

The School also hosted a group of boys, who are in the country under the Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children scheme, for an afternoon of sporting and cultural activities.

To further enhance students’ understanding of global issues such as refugee crises and poverty, some took part in immersive theatre experiences run by the charity Empathy Action. Tonbridge Community Action members took part in a ‘Desperate Journeys’ simulation, described by organisers as “a powerful refugee crisis workshop, which aims to bring home the human stories behind the news headlines”.

First Year boarders teamed up with their counterparts at Benenden School to experience the ‘Poverty Trap’, aimed at helping participants to understand more about causes and conditions of extreme deprivation in other parts of the world.

Mr Fisher added: “Highlights for me included the excitement and energy that the primary and secondary school children brought to their sports sessions, and I was most impressed with the way First Years from Tonbridge and Benenden worked closely in the immersive workshops, with teamwork and problem-solving much in evidence.”

Pictured above: Boys run a series of sports sessions for primary school visitors.