In mid-April, 24 Senior School students headed to Rutland for their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
In preparation for the expedition, the students enjoyed a day’s training in March. They worked on their map reading skills, and learned how to put up a tent and pack a rucksack.
The two-day practice expedition saw them hiking around the beautiful Rutland Water, carrying everything they needed for their night’s stopover, including tents, food and cooking equipment. The weather was good, with no rain and plenty of sunshine, although the first day was rather windy.
Everyone worked brilliantly in their teams. They were escorted by instructors on the first day and then check-pointed on the second day, using their own navigation skills to find their way to the final pickup point.
At the end of the first day, everyone’s tents went up quickly and evening meals were prepared to satisfy hungry tummies… although they soon realised they didn’t need a kilo of pasta each! They added sauce and one group even had Parmesan cheese – yummy!
The students’ qualifying expedition will take place in May and, after such a successful practice, we have every confidence in them. The instructors all commented on how polite they were and what a pleasure it had been working with them, and the campsite was left spotlessly clean. Well done to our fabulous students, and thank you to our staff team – Mr Blayney, Mrs Brake and Mr Bucknall – who were excellent minibus drivers and full of words of encouragement!
