The Stonar Way 06.03.26

Over the February half term I found myself, like many parents, searching for something wholesome to do with my two teenage daughters. The weather was dreadful and, as is often the case with teenagers, enthusiasm for any form of organised “family fun” was in fairly short supply. After some negotiation we settled on a high ropes course. Both girls had enjoyed climbing before, so it seemed a reasonable choice.

There was, however, one small complication: my rather crippling fear of heights.

Despite this, I decided it would be fine. I consider myself reasonably fit and active and have spent much of my career encouraging children to step outside their comfort zones and face their fears. With that logic in mind, on a wet and very cold Thursday morning I set off up into the trees with the girls.

Unfortunately, things did not quite go to plan.

About halfway around the course I found myself completely stuck. What had looked manageable from the ground felt very different several metres in the air. In the end, a very kind teenage instructor had to lower me gently back to the ground while my daughters looked on. They were extremely supportive, but it was not exactly one of my finer moments.

This experience was very much in my mind this week as our Year 3 and 4 pupils headed off on their residential trip to Braeside. Over the course of the trip the children tackled activities such as climbing, crate stacking, abseiling and the rather impressive zip wire. Watching them take on these challenges made me reflect on my own rather unsuccessful attempt at bravery.

What I realised, however, is that the goal is not necessarily to eliminate fear. Fear is a natural response and it comes in many forms. The real achievement is in being willing to face it.

Throughout the week we saw children climb higher than they believed possible, step backwards off an abseiling tower, and launch themselves along the zip wire with a mixture of nerves and excitement. Not every child felt fearless, but every child showed courage.

Courage, after all, is not the absence of fear; it is the willingness to try despite it.