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King Edward’s Bronze Duke of Edinburgh participants successfully complete Orienteering Day
50 pupils from King Edward’s School’s Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award programme took part in a day of Orienteering at the Azimghur Barracks in Colerne on Sunday 29th January.
The day was an opportunity for pupils to put into practice their navigational skills, which they have been learning in Duke of Edinburgh sessions at School.
The day provided challenging conditions with poor visibility, due to low level fog, and freezing cold.
Pupils were organised into groups of five, equipped with a compass and a map, and told to find check points which would contain their ration packs and cooking equipment for preparing lunch. All groups returned within a couple of hours armed with their food and cooking stove. Pupils were trained on how to cook their lunch and then they tucked into a well-deserved hot meal.
Miss Costanza, Bronze DofE Co-ordinator commented;
“I would like to say a big thank you to Miss Gilbert and Miss Kayacan, who spent two hours waiting by the checkpoints in freezing conditions, to Sergeant Jones, for organising the day and to Mr Cunningham for his help and experience on the day.”
The next training day will be a walk on the Mendips on Sunday 26th February 2012.
Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Expeditions 2012
Sunday 29th January 2012 from 10am – 4pm
Orienteering day in the Azimghur Barracks, North Colerne.
Sunday 26th February 2012 from 10am – 4pm (Details TBC)
Mendip Hill walk.
Saturday 24th March – Sunday 25th March 2012
Practice Expedition camping at The Bell Pub Buckland Dinham (Evening meal in the Pub!)
Saturday 26th May – Sunday 27th May 2012
Assessed Expedition camping at The Golden Swan, Wilcot in the Marlborough Downs (Evening meal in the pub!)
Record breaking numbers of pupils enrol in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme
A record breaking 56 pupils have signed up to participate in the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award. This is the largest group of participants King Edward’s School has ever had.
Due to the large increase in pupils participants have been split into two groups to train. One is led by the Bronze DofE coordinator, Miss Costanza and the other by Sgt Jones. Mr Cunningham, who coordinates the award at Gold level, will also be helping on various training sessions.
Speaking about the large number of Duke of Edinburgh participants, Miss Costanza said:
“We are delighted that the Duke of Edinburgh Award has been so popular this year. The Award offers the opportunity of taking part in many activities which are both enjoyable and also individually challenging. It is great to have so many pupils willing to develop themselves by taking part in the Award. We are here to support you and we wish everyone Good luck.”
The first training session outlined the four sections of the award: Skill, Physical, Volunteering and Expedition. Each pupil will need to complete all four sections of the award.
Weekly Training sessions
Training sessions will take place on Tuesday (Week A) at lunchtime in New Teaching (B) Building, 10J &10K in B14 and 10L & 10M in B18.
For further information on the Duke of Edinburgh Award please contact:
Miss Costanza (Bronze Award) or Mr Cunningham (Gold Award)
King Edward’s pupils successfully complete Bronze Assessed Expedition
Many congratulations go to all 36 King Edward’s pupils, who successfully completed their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award Assessed Expedition over the weekend of the 21st – 22nd May.
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Pupils spent two days and one night walking and camping in the Marlborough Downs. All participants showed excellent navigation and camp craft skills and demonstrated how fit they were by carrying 65 litre rucksacks, with all their equipment in, over the two days.
This Duke of Edinburgh expedition follows an equally successful practice expedition which took place last term, starting at Kilmersdon Village Hall and finishing at the Hinton Charterhouse.
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Congratulations also go to the 7 participants who completed their practice expedition during the weekend. They will complete their assessed expedition in Spring 2012.
King Edward’s School would like to thank Mr Cunningham, Dr Fewell, Mrs Willoughby and Mr Wright for manning the checkpoints; Mrs Teresa Skinner, who assessed three of the groups and to Mrs Jenny Crouch, who returned to assess the other three groups on their expedition.
Pupils will now be concentrating on their presentations and making sure they record everything on their eDofE profile.
There will be a launch on the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme next half term for pupils in Year 9 who are interested in joining the scheme. Further details can be obtained from Miss Costanza.
Duke of Edinburgh Autumn Programme
Year 11 Bronze DofE Presentations
Gold DofE Training Weekend to Dartmoor
Tuesday 21st September 4.15pm
Bronze DofE training begins
Tuesday 28th September 4.15pm, Q33
Saturday 6th – Sunday 7th November
