Bishop Luffa School's Big Walk - slideshow

So commented 11 year-old Shelby Donaldson about the Big Walk undertaken by the 1,500 pupils, Sixth Formers and staff of Bishop Luffa School on Friday.

To watch a slideshow from the Big Walk click here. Double click on the window for full screen.

The genesis of the Big Walk was long and arduous. The arts have always been strong at Bishop Luffa, but their accommodation has been scattered across the school.

"We had to use the Main Hall for drama and dance," said Mr Nick Taunt, Headteacher; "the same space we also use for assemblies and break and lunch and a whole host of other activities. It was not a good situation."

It was time to imagine big ideas: the housing of all the arts under one roof.

Staff visualized their ideal working spaces. They saw pupils rehearsing drama and dance in purpose-built studios with their own flexible lighting and sound rigs; artists working in adjacent art rooms with space for informal display and formal exhibition; musicians and media students exploiting the technology of a sound-proofed recording studio and control room '“ all in an area that would demonstrate in layout, display and lighting the enormous creativity, inventiveness and collaboration of our talented and enthusiastic pupils.

That was three years ago.

Now, after building a new gym and transforming the old gym building into the Creative Arts Centre, the final step was to pay for the 1.6m project.

The bid for a Government grant of 90 per cent of the cost was accepted; now as a Church of England Voluntary-Aided comprehensive, the school had to raise the remaining ten per cent '“ a total of 160,000. With 70,000 to go, the challenge was how to involve the whole school in the final effort? Answer '“ a Big Walk.

The Big Walk took place on Friday October 2. Year 7 pupil Ellie Watson picks up the story: "The event was announced to the school when they held their annual 'beginning of school year' assembly.

When Headteacher Mr Taunt announced the news, a rumble of shock, excitement and dread spread around the school. I felt surprised and excited but also a little bit anxious."

Cloudless skies and a cool temperature proved to be perfect weather as the school set off up the Centurion Way towards Lavant to the encouraging sound of a samba band.

Pupils soon got into the swing of the walk: "For me walking through trees and listening to the general buzz of talk were really enjoyable," said Thomas Maynard.

"Pine cones and leaves were falling and floating around me, and all the plants swaying in the breeze."

Circling around Lavant, tired pupils arrived at Lavant Cricket Ground in time for an early lunch.

As Ellie Mundy put it: "At times we all found it hard but we encouraged our friends and we all made it to Lavant! I loved the atmosphere when we arrived."

Miles Hughes agreed: "The high point of the journey was walking down to the green with the drum band playing."

With support from Portsmouth Water, who provided bowsers of water, and the supermarkets Waitrose and Tesco, who supplied fruit and biscuits, walkers had their thirsts quenched and their hunger refreshed. Spirits were revived by more carnival music from the school's samba band.

Was it worth it? "The aim was to walk '10k for 20k'," said Mr Taunt. "I would be delighted if we reach that total. The Creative Arts Centre is an investment in the future which generations of pupils will enjoy. But as an event, it was great to see the whole school work together."

But wasn't it hard work? Louise Kent had her own views: "I think what impressed me the most was that hardly anyone moaned, even when someone had blisters and was finding it hard to walk."

"It was so lovely all walking together to Lavant Green," said Sixth Former Florence Christie. "It gave you a real feeling of community '“ everyone working together to achieve the same aim. Once we had arrived back at school, surprisingly, I felt as though I had really done something for my school. Three cheers for school spirit!"

"This is the first event when we have raised money for the school," said Mr Taunt.

"Pupils are incredibly generous and hardworking in aid of others less fortunate than ourselves. Annually pupils and the Sixth Form raise around 20,000 for charities both local and global. So it seemed right, just this once, to raise money for the school."

To encourage sponsorship, prizes, kindly donated by National Westminster Bank, Evergreen Irish Moss Peat Products and parents, will be awarded to individuals and groups who raise the most money.

Donations to the Bishop Luffa Charitable Trust are welcomed as pupils begin to reap the tremendous benefits of the Creative Arts Centre.

All donors will be sent an invitation to the formal opening of the Creative Arts Centre on Thursday November 5 when the actress Patricia Routledge CBE will cut the ribbon.

Please make cheques payable to Bishop Luffa School Charitable Trust; a gift aid form can be downloaded from the school's website:

www.bishopluffa.org.uk