31 students from Cowes Enterprise College took to the slopes of Ehrwald for a week away in the mountains of Austria at the end of the last month, a trip that has been deemed a huge success.
The students had an amazing time on the trip, which has significantly grown in popularity in recent years. It has been organised by Mrs Lindsay Hughes for the past 24 years and was once again a big hit with the students, from day time to evening activities. Over 6 days on the slopes students in both beginner and intermediate skiing and snowboarding groups grew in confidence and strength and everyone had an incredibly positive experience.
Having engaged in evening activities together, such as bowling, swimming and the hugely popular club night, the body of students and staff became extremely close and worked together to overcome challenges and help each other learn.
The 5th day of the trip saw students skiing on Zugspitze, known as the highest point in Germany at over 2,900 metres high, which was a great challenge. Everyone successfully took the slopes in their stride and felt proud of their achievement. The temperature was much colder higher up into the mountains and the team wrapped up warm when taking on the Zugspitze slopes.
Maddi Knowles, Cowes Enterprise College student in Year 12, said:
“One of my highlights of the trip was skiing down the slopes of Zugspitze which was a real challenge! I have been going on this trip for 2 years now and this has to be the best year by far. Snowboarding is so enjoyable and I would recommend the sport to anyone! Thank you so much to everyone for making this trip so special.”
Students from St John’s school in Brighton joined the academy on the trip for a second year in a row and they also had an equally brilliant time. St John’s is an independent specialist college working with young people aged 7-25 who have complex learning disabilities.
Mr Mark Hughes, Chief Executive and Principal of the college, and a group of his staff accompanied the St John’s students who had an amazing time working with other young people from Cowes Enterprise College.
Mark said:
“I cannot adequately express in words the importance of that shared experience in Austria nor the impact it has had on our St John’s Learners and how it has challenged perception, exceeded all possible planned outcomes, and has challenged our aspirations as an organisation and for the for young people involved.
“It was inspiring to see the warmth, acceptance, understanding and genuine respect demonstrated by the Cowes Enterprise College students and staff team for the St John’s Learners, and that enabled our learners to express themselves knowing that they would not be judged negatively, to know that they could show the frailties and impact of their diagnosis, and that they would be shown acceptance and compassion for doing so. Their bravery both on and off the slops was acknowledged and respected.”
Following the week away, Mrs Lindsay Hughes said:
“The skiing and snowboarding has been brilliant, which goes without saying, with fantastic progress from all. This year was the first time four beginners made it down a black slope by the end of the week! The relationships fostered in such a wonderful environment were unbelievable and will last a lifetime. An amazing week, in an amazing place, with amazing people. Thank you all for the memories.”
Students have now returned to school with some great experiences and memories to tell. Special thanks has been paid to Mrs Lindsay Hughes, Miss Helen Davis and Miss Michelle Vidovic for accompanying the students from Cowes Enterprise College and to all of the staff at St Johns and ‘Skischule Total’.
