Many congratulations to the students involved in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award this year for successfully completing the Expedition element. Bronze Award students headed to North Wales and the Silver cohort were in the Lake District.
We took two groups of students to North Wales for the two-day Bronze Award expedition. Navigating their way from Loggerheads Country Park to their campsite in Mold, they demonstrated excellent map-reading, communication and problem-solving skills, supporting one another along every step of the journey.
Along the way, the students demonstrated confidence, resilience and a real sense of self-reliance. And at camp, they showed responsibility by setting up their own tents, organising their kit and cooking their own meals.
A particular shout-out to our first cohort who faced heavy rain throughout the second day. Every student showed incredible determination and perseverance as they completed the return journey to Loggerheads.
And well done, too, to the Silver Award participants, whose expedition took place in very hot weather, making the three-day challenge even tougher.
Despite the conditions, students showed fantastic determination and resilience, supporting one another throughout and maintaining a positive attitude.
During assessed expeditions, members of staff are on hand for safeguarding and wellbeing reasons, but participants are expected to plan and navigate their route unaided. And they are not allowed to use a phone to assist them.
As the DofE themselves describe it, the Expedition element “is an adventurous journey of discovery, both in terms of the outdoor environment and personal and team development”.
More broadly, all the DofE participants have developed valuable practical and life skills through their volunteering, physical and skills activities. They built their confidence, independence and leadership and problem-solving abilities, while challenging themselves to try new things and achieve more than they thought possible.
We are all immensely proud of every student who took part, for the maturity they demonstrated from start to finish and for the brilliant way they represented the school.
We can’t wait for next year!
