Duke of Edinburgh
The school runs a very successful Duke of Edinburgh scheme. Last year twelve girls completed Bronze Award with expeditions in the Surrey Hills and six achieved Silver in the New Forest. We will complete a Gold Award this year with treks in the Lake District and Snowdonia.
Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award Assessment – Surrey Hills
An excellent time was had by all girls who took part in their assessment expedition last weekend. 07:15am Saturday morning outside school, yes there are two 07:15’s in a day on the weekend, ready to start the journey to Newlands Corner on the South Downs. Several girls were already waiting, hoping to get bacon sandwiches but, alas, the café was closed until 9:00am when we would have been long gone! Except for the ‘Cereal Killers’, who shall remain nameless, leaving Helen who arrived at the crack of dawn, waiting for the remainder of her group. They had left their tent poles in the locker room! A lesson learned I think.
The girls spent two days and an overnight camp at Bentleys Campsite in Peaslake, journeyed on foot, with their world in their rucksacks, for six hours each day and cooked beneath a blue sky. What more could they ask?
The girls all did well and were very fortunate to have sunshine for the entire trip.
Many thanks to Mr Rock, Mrs Oakley, Mr Oakley, Oliver Saddler, Miss Breach and Miss Taylor for the tremendous support they gave to the participants. I feel that we should also mention Mr Day and Mrs de Jager who were also up at the crack of dawn to deliver the girls to Newlands Corner.
Duke of Edinburgh Award Expedition to Surrey Hills 17th – 18th May 2008
A recent expedition saw 21 Year 10 girls along with a number of teachers venture into the wilds of the Surrey Hills for a DofE Bronze Award practice expedition. The girls set off with a gleam in their eye and much bubbling enthusiasm, eagerly clutching their maps and compasses and staring into the sylvan wonderland that awaited them. They carried bags that in a number of cases were as high and as heavy as their carriers yet they remained optimistic.
By the evening their faces were pale and their arms and legs sore, but moaning remained at a high level. In many cases their navigational skills had deserted them and they had wandered off track. Nevertheless they quickly put up their tents and settled down to a filling meal of frankfurters and pasta. The morning brought with it improved weather and, after luxurious breakfasts that in some cases included several rounds of pancakes and waffles, they were ready to go.
The next day’s walk saw some improvement in navigation and the destination was reached with great relief; it was as if a parched traveller in the desert had reached water. The girls ran with screams of joy and elation to their waiting parents. I am sure the girls will eagerly await their next visit to the Surrey Hills.
Duke of Edinburgh Award Expedition
Year 10 Duke of Edinburgh students visited the Surrey Hills for their Practice Expedition. This involved a two day walk and I was very impressed with the map reading and navigation skills demonstrated by the girls (the less said about the parents’ navigation, the better!). In fact all groups completed the trek in record time.
The camping went smoothly with the girls soon tucking into meals of pasta and soup and getting an early night. We were very lucky with the weather and the wind and rain that started at about 3.00am was finished by breakfast, the only interruption to the packing up was the explosion of a saucepan and that was caused by a teacher. In all, the girls did really well, showing a high degree of confidence and ability that bodes well for their assessment expedition on 9th and 10th May. The expedition would not have been possible without the help of parents and Mrs Gingell, Mrs Oakley and Miss Breach.
