Norton Community Primary School
Norton CP School
Wednesday, 10th June 2026
The weather today presented the opportunity for everyone to go sailing at Scaling Dam Reservoir. The wind strength was ideal for beginners and it was warm enough to spend quite a bit of time in the water. Even the rain held off apart from a sharp shower on the drive over.
Children had the chance to try sailing a small dinghy as a crew of two - a great way to build team skills and learn the value of trust and cooperation. There was a lot to take in, ropes for the sail, how to use the tiller to change course and the need to move quickly across the boat as the boom swung overhead. Some took to it like natural born sailors - Viking blood, perhaps?
Windsurfing was a little easier. There's just one crew member and only one important rope (the one you pull the mast up with). However, it is much easier to fall off a sailboard. Some very impressive determination was shown as children fell off time after time, but wouldn't give up until they'd sailed across the lake.
Very, very popular, offering was to lark about on (and jump off) a giant paddleboard.
We spent the whole day at Scaling Dam and found our tea waiting back at Birch Hall: sausages or roast chicken, Yorkshires, spuds and gravy, choc-ice for pud.
After tea, we split up for one group to tackle the night-line and another to play boardgames inside or footie on the grass.
