Striving for Silver, Going for Gold: Duke of Edinburgh Award Expeditions
Gold DofE Paddling trip to North Wales
Field Weekend saw the annual Gold DofE Paddling trip to North Wales with 20 Sixth Form students and four members of staff heading off to the Arete Outdoor Centre, Llanrug. We left straight after school on Thursday and arrived at our campsite after a long journey; putting up tents in the dark was an exciting challenge and it has to be said that a few adjustments were made in the cold light of day the following morning!
This Training Expedition involves trying out different watercraft including touring sea kayaks and Canadian canoes – by the end of the weekend most pupils had decided that sea kayaking was the preferable mode of transport for their final expedition.
Camping skills were fine-tuned and pupils honed their water skills on Lake Padarn, Llanberis on Friday. On Saturday we were ready for moving water, therefore we paddled the Menai Straits with its incredible tidal flow and managed to navigate the infamous Swellies without incident. On Sunday, the Anglesey wind got the better of us and so we decided to go gorge walking instead which involved a descent of a white water gorge on the side of Snowdon with lots of sliding, jumping into pools and generally enjoying the water.
We were incredibly lucky with the weather and being in the great outdoors again made for an excellent trip – roll on March, when we can do it all again for the Practice Expedition.
Mrs Sofia Nicholls
DofE Gold Manager
Silver DofE Expedition to the Long Mynd
50 Year Ten and 30 Year Eleven pupils started their DofE Silver Award with an expedition to the Lond Mynd in Shropshire. It was a Training Expedition for the Year Ten; a chance to improve their navigation and camping craft skills, whilst the Year Eleven group were given more independence on the hills for their Practice Expedition.
Both groups enjoyed fine weather and beautiful views from the top of the hills. Sitting around a fire pit, under the stars, felt very special as this was our first camping expedition for a year.
I was really impressed with all 80 pupils who took part. They demonstrated initiative, determination, and respect towards each other and the countryside around them.
I would like to thank the staff who accompanied our groups and helped organise this Expedition: Mr Leeds, Mrs Caple, Mr Batchelder, Ms Spencer, Dr Elhers, Mr Jay, Mr Alexander, Ms Bennet, Mr Ehlers, Mr Willis, Mr Garden, Mr Fleming, Mr Theobald. We all look forward to the next Expedition in 2022!
Miss Julie Gidon
DofE Silver Manager
