Mr Farrell (DofE Award Manager)

Last weekend saw four teams of students from Years 11 and Upper Sixth complete their Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award expeditions. The expeditions took place near Banbury in the Cherwell Valley and North Oxfordshire Cotswolds. The Silver groups walked for three days staying at two different campsites. The Gold group walked one day further and were on the trail for four days. All groups were self-supporting and carried all their own equipment including their tents. They cooked their own meals on gas stoves each night.

This was a new expedition area for the school and provided the groups with good challenges in navigation open, rural countryside with some hilly terrain thrown in as well. The weather played its part during the challenges with one day being hot and sunny, whilst others were cooler and cloudy with some showers.

As well as the journeying, the students had to complete a project of their own choosing during their expedition. These ranged from producing a vlog of their journey to improving their teamwork. In addition, all groups took photos of their journey and we look forward to seeing these soon.

All the groups worked really hard during some long days, tackling the weather, terrain and navigational challenges they encountered. Team work was very evident with each individual playing their part in their groups daily activities to get them to the end on Sunday afternoon. All this was done with a smile on their faces and I am pleased to report that, whilst tired all successfully completed their expedition. Well done to all the students!