Duke of Edinburgh Award – Expeditions 2019
Posted: 1st May 2019
Mr Cox and Mrs Macwilliam had the pleasure of taking 8 Year 12 girls to Snowdonia for their Duke of Edinburgh’s gold practice over the Easter holiday. Millie, Bella, Ellen, Priya, Carolina, Selma and two former St. Catherine’s girls (Daniela and Lucy) spent four days and three nights walking from Betws-y-Coed to Llanberis.
The weather held up for the girls over the four days, with only light rain on the third day during the ascent to the ridge east of Tryfan. Navigation was tested on the last day on the walk to Llanberis, as it appeared that an unplanned detour to the summit of Snowdon was on the cards for some of them. However, some great teamwork and decision making rectified the issue. After a challenging four days the girls returned home full of enthusiasm for the planned June assessment in the Lake District.
Mr Cox and Mrs Macwilliam would like to thank the Headmistress and staff for their support, as well as Hampton School for allowing our girls to work with the boys.
Well done, ladies!
Mr Cox and Mrs Macwilliam
Mr Cox and Mr Rock would like to congratulate the 36 girls in Year 9 who have completed the expedition section of their D of E Bronze award.
The practice in the Surrey Hills went very well. The attractions of Winterfold Wood proved too much for some groups to resist, but they all eventually made a successful journey to Bentley Copse to pitch tents and cook their evening meals. After supper a quiet night ensued, despite the attention of two badgers who wanted to investigate the girls’ tents. Mr Cox provided a roving badger patrol overnight to scare them off! Day 2 of the practice went smoothly with the girls getting on the coach for the return journey just as the rain started.
After a few weeks rest the girls undertook the assessed expedition in the Chiltern Hills. Despite the predictions of gales in the days before the expedition, the start at Great Missenden was just windy, with very little of the forecast rain. The overnight camp at Braid Wood was a success despite the windy conditions. A bright and breezy start on the last day ensured a timely finish in Chesham. Mr Cox who was the supervisor and assessor, passed all the girls as they showed they had the required camp craft and navigation skills.
Many thanks to Mrs Macwilliam, Mrs Oakley, Mrs Parfitt, Miss Ryan and Mr Jacob for their support on the expeditions.
Mr Cox and Mr Rock
