01 Oct DofE Autumn News
Last weekend saw twenty-one Year 10 Bronze DofE students and five staff heading to Danbury for the start of their expedition training programme. Having attended some basic skills training earlier in the week, the students had no problems putting up their tents, and assembling their camping stoves to cook dinner. I was impressed with the care that the students took learning how to safely light and cook on the stoves, and dinner of pasta and sauce got the thumbs up. After dinner and once it was dark, we explored the camp site and found the campfire circle. Once the fire got going, there was campfire songs and yells and even a bit of dancing, followed by marshmallow toasting.
Saturday dawned with the campsite shrouded in mist. The students were up at 7:00am cooking a breakfast of beans and sausages. Once the vans were packed, the students divided into three groups to set off on their seven-mile walk. They were also joined by Daniels and his mum Jelina. Mr Kilminster’s group was Alex, Nikhil, Murtaza, Sam, Chloe, Alina and Precious, they were complimented by him on their excellent teamwork and enthusiasm, apparently, they even had a team song! Miss Matin’s group were Abie, Priscilla, Barakat, Ife Vinna, Maya and Asharni. They walked so fast that Bill missed them for their first water stop, well done girls on keeping up such a good pace. Last but by no means least was Miss Hunt’s group, Daniels, Summer, Aimee, Katelyn, Tiesha, Zubin and Theo, who came back clutching a load of onions that apparently fell into the road off the back of a passing farm lorry. I want to commend this group for their brilliant resilience as early on they got a little lost in the woods and so probably walked eight miles instead of seven.
Thanks to everyone involved in the weekend, to the students for their respect for the staff, good behaviour, and for being such great ambassadors for JRCS and especially allowing everyone to get a good night’s sleep on Friday night, and to the staff for their brilliant support of both the students and I. Good luck to the students as they continue with their expedition training each Tuesday after school, preparing for further expeditions in April and May.
Calling all Year 9’s – now it’s your turn!
If you are in Year 9 and fancy getting involved in a similar adventure next year, you should listen out in the next few weeks in form time and assemblies, as applications are invited shortly for the 2022/3 Bronze DofE group. Above all, get yourself involved in a variety of extra-curricular activities in or outside school as these are the key to success with a DofE award.
Ms Montague
DofE Manager
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.