Duke of Edinburgh - Bronze Level Qualifying Expedition, June 2009
The Year 11s must have been relieved to get to the end of June. Revision? All done. Exams? Finally finished. Surely all that remained was a relaxing week of fun in the sun before departing Moor House for the final time?
Well, not quite…
Saturday 27th June saw nine students from Year 11 take on their toughest Duke of Edinburgh challenge yet - the Qualifying Expedition! Okay, so there was fun in the sun, but I doubt anyone would call the weekend relaxing, exactly. The students had to navigate themselves (and their rucksacks, which weighed a tonne) up and down the mini-mountains in the Box Hill area - all this on the hottest weekend of the year.
While the happy memories of being with friends under blue cloudless skies will hopefully endure, I also hope that the horrors of sweat drenched T-shirts and the fetid stench of well walked in shoes will fade given enough time!
Both Alpha Team and Bravo Team did incredibly well, and this is no exaggeration. This being the Qualifying Expedition the students were not allowed any adult support at all - they had to plan their route, work as a team to follow their route, get lost, get un-lost, set up their tents, cook their evening meal and breakfast the following morning, organise their own entertainment, get through a night in the woods, pack up camp and then get to the departure point - without any adult intervention at all.
And they did it. Not only did they successfully complete all of the above, including the journey which was 12 miles over hilly terrain, they did it all with good humour and teamwork, showing a maturity and independence that was heartening to see. They have set the bar high for the students that follow the Duke of Edinburgh in years to come.
Well done to all of the students who took part and who made it a weekend to remember.
Staff members on the trip were Laki Lee (Unit Leader), Jane Davies (Assessor) and Nick Hart (Supervisor).
Thanks also to Pat Crowhurst, Kim Hodge, Leanne Boyhan and Ivana Hooper for helping at checkpoints.
Please note, the above photos may give the impression that the students went into tribal mode in preparation to sacrifice a staff member for the abomination that is powdered milk. I am pleased to report that this is not the case, as in fact the students were performing a campfire Haka. Mr. Mackwood, see what you have started!
Many thanks are due once again to the parents, staff, families and friends who support PSA fundraising events, and also to the PSA for organising the events and meetings. A funding contribution from the PSA enabled the school to purchase six new tents for use on the Duke of Edinburgh expeditions, which were very much appreciated by the students. The funding also helped to pay for the satellite tracking systems which enabled staff to monitor the students progress and maintain safety.
Your kindness really does make a positive difference to the students and these are just a few examples of the way in which your generous donations are used. Please do continue to support the PSA!
Our thanks also go to the Catering department who provided an excellent selection of snacks and drinks for the students to take with them on the expedition.
Report by Mr. Hart.