8 February 2023
Dr Jessica Dixon, DofE Manager
On a very sunny Sunday 5 February, 110 students spent the day in school preparing for their practice and qualifying Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expeditions next term. It was the first time our bronze, silver and gold cohorts have trained on the same day and it was fantastic to see so many students taking part in and really enjoying DofE.
Instructors from A to Z Expeditions – our DofE partner - gave sessions on camping skills, such as putting up tents and cooking with Trangia stoves, navigation and map reading, route planning, health and safety, and what to pack for a successful expedition. The students are now looking forward to getting out on their expeditions so they can explore the countryside, develop their outdoor skills, and, very importantly, have fun.
Freya H, Year 9 (Bronze)
Sunday was really beneficial. Our instructors were very patient and helpful, answering any questions we had. I especially enjoyed the practical part of the day, where we were shown how to put up the tents. I can't wait to make memories with my expedition group.
Ava D and Lara F, Lower Sixth (Gold)
It was good to revisit how to pack our bags, prepare lightweight meals that will need to sustain us for four days of walking, and plan our routes. We spent time thinking about our expedition aim of making a scrapbook. This will include dried plants and in-depth studies into the plants that grow in the Welsh mountains, where we will be walking. We are very excited about this.