Extra Curricular Activities as of SEPTEMBER 2024

Duke of Edinburgh's Award

For more information on the award, please visit their website - https://www.dofe.org/what-is-dofe

‘I completed the first of two expeditions (qualifying expedition) on the 29th-30th April. On the first day, we left at around lunch time and used our compass and map to make our way to the checkpoints. We worked as a group to navigate and each of us played an important role in finding our way. I think it was essential that we communicated and each of us voiced our opinion if we weren’t sure of the route we should take. Overall, I think both days were really enjoyable; we chatted and had fun while walking, even though it was tiring. We had fun trying to figure out the path we should take and worked as a team. On the second day, we also set up tents for our practise and used a Trangia to boil water for our instant noodles like we would have to do on the real expedition, which was fun!

For my volunteering section on DofE, I have been helping out my swimming club, assisting younger people and teaching them water skills. It has been fun and a good experience to help out and encourage others. For my skills section I have been working on my drawing/art and each week I tried improving my watercolour skills.’ - Annabel S

‘On Friday we set off from school at lunch and walked across the park, the golf club, some football fields and after a while we got away from the busy roads and more into the countryside. The next day we mostly walked across the canal until we stopped at a farm where we pitched tents and cooked pot noodles for lunch on stoves. We walked for about 5 hours on Friday and 6 hours on Saturday. Luckily it was very sunny on both days. We faced many challenges including bug bites, blisters, sunburns and even getting a tiny bit lost! We all still enjoyed he whole thing and are all looking forward to doing the real expedition in June where we'll actually camp overnight.’ Millie and Evie