The pace was set on the first day with a treetop adventure course when everyone pushed themselves outside their comfort zones and all experienced the Tyrolean zip line at least once. It was lovely to see how the pupils supported each other on the ropes.

A park picnic was followed by a team-building session in which some surprising leaders emerged. By the end of the afternoon, all the children were working well as one team to fulfil some tricky challenges in record times.

We finished our evening on Sunday with a walk down to the River Dranse and a paddle. We took the Super Morzine cable car up the mountain to Avoriaz and then two chair lifts to admire the view. We then strolled down and Gavin and Mr Hyde gave us some interesting geological facts.

The next day saw us orienteering in the forest: all the children participated in groups and enjoyed the competition side of the challenge. The evening saw much frowning, frustration – and triumph – during a knot-tying activity in which all the children managed a figure of 8 knot and then rethreaded it.

A climbing wall session showed our school values of courage, confidence and growth in abundance. There was kindness, too, as the children worked as a team and supported each other. This was followed by a walk in the pretty town of Saint-Jean-d’Aulps, where we viewed a ruined Cistercian Monastery and practised our French while buying treats at a boulangerie.

A highlight for many was the trip to Lac Montriond on a perfect afternoon for kayaking on the lake. All children were able to get to the other side of the lake competently and celebrated their skill with various ball games on the kayaks. We then found an ice cream shop and spent a pleasant hour chilling round the lake.

We also walked over the border into Switzerland, taking in magnificent views. The children excelled themselves on a very hot day, with 23,000 steps completed with a vertical ascent of 600m. Along the way, we learned about glaciers, the difference between pines, ferns and spruces, and tasted wild sorrel.

White Water Rafting on the fast-running River Dranse was both challenging and thrilling, and the children’s faces as they carried the dinghy back told the whole story. It was great to hear who was thrown in and who rock-jumped but all were exhilarated. We had lunch back at the hotel and then a fun couple of hours doing bushcraft fire and shelter-making, before beginning to pack for home.

It was a real treat to accompany the children on this trip. We all learned a great deal about ourselves and grew in confidence as a result. Friendships were deepened and horizons well and truly expanded!