Beyond COVID19

 Season 2020/21

Training and Practice

Having lost the summer expeditions of 2020 and the qualifying expeditions of 2020 we set about our recovery program with the long term view of getting our groups through training and then qualification through the summer and autumn of 2021.

The Duke of Edinburgh award did a grand job of introducing a variety of modifications that supported students with their sections and the school leaders with getting the program back on track. Unfortunately it did mean we lost some participants along the way and they opted to do the Certificate of Achievement rather than the full award.

In the end we managed a hybrid training and practice expedition for our year 9 Bronze award students and some of the gold and silver award students who had missed a much needed practice expedition. Thanks again to Rich Adventures for helping us along the way. We all had a very busy season.

Our expedition over Cannock Chase ended well and was drier than the past few years, so that was nice. It was also a battle of the drones between Mr Vaughan and Pete.

Milford Common

Following this at the end of the school year we then merged our expeditions to complete all of the training and practice needs of our remaining old and new Silver and Gold award students. In addition to this we had all of our year 9 students and 1 gold team to get through qualification plus a European Cup Final to watch somehow! This was a big one we had over 120 participants to manage through training, practice and for some qualification. Our location was Buxton, with the Silver and Gold groups venturing into the beautiful Dark peak region.

England verses Italy cup final. Great atmosphere even if the result was tough to take

11/07/2021

A very wet day for our teams

Going for Gold

All complete Y9 Bronze well done + some of our students who needed to igo back home to isolate due to COVID back at school.

Yorkshire Dales 2 - Qualifiers 2019

This is our 2nd time back in the Dales for our Gold and Silver qualification expeditions. After last years variety of weather we thought maybe this year we will get some glorious autumnal fresh crisp weather! Well yes we did, 2 mornings we had a good frost and then most of the rest of the time we had drizzle and rain! So it is even more impressive that all the girls and Gurdit did so well. We had 8 teams completing the Silver award and 1 team of 7 doing their Gold award expedition.

Here are some pictures from the week.

Day 1

Year 11 - Silver 2019

Basecamp - Broadrake - Chapel-le-dale

At least it is not raining... yet!

Wherside shrouded in cloud

Day 2 - Silver refresher day - Ingleton waterfalls

Thorton Force

Team Gold - The one and only sunny day!

Y3P - Peak 2 Ingleborough plateau

Ingleborough trig point - 723m

Day 3 - Silver Camp 1 - Holme Open Farm

Cold morning heading for Dentdale

Day 4 - Dent - High Laning Caravan & Camping Site

This is an idyllic setting by the river Dent in a little charming village. The students are rather excited about the shower block. Gone with the wind were back first!

Day 5 Dent to pick up location - A little competitive hiking and some outstanding navigation.

Wind assisted - Gone with the wind were back first feeling challenged and satisfied.

Just our of the clag and nearly back. Well done!

Ribblehead viaduct

Pixie cup lichen

Well done to all of the participants of the 2019 season. It was a year of less than fine weather from storm Hannah in April to the first frosts of winter 2019. You are all exceptional and should have fond memories of your time together. Get you sections complete and awards approved.

I am pleased to say that as of 10/12/19 we have already seen 5 students complete their Silver Award and 9 since the start of September. Onwards... lets go for GOLD.

We are currently completing the launch of season 2020

Year 9 Bronze registration closes on 20 December 2019

Year 10 Silver registration closes on 20 December 2019

Year 12 Gold registration closes on 20 December 2019

Year 11 Gold registration closes on 20 December 2020 (Deposits and forms as you turn 16 please)

Dark Peak

Up next is our qualifier for our 3 year 11 Silver Award students and the practice expeditions for our 9 year 10 Silver Award teams and 1 year 12 Gold Award team.

The students will be meeting up at school on Monday 8th July for their 4 day expedition experience in the lovely Edale and Hope Valley area of the Dark Peak region of the Peak District.

Bronze 2019 Qualifier

Hot Hot Hot

 

Our 12 teams we in for 2 days of fabulous weather in the Peak district for our 2019 qualifier. This year we had two teams of six. One team worked south from Hulme End and another worked north from Ilam Hall. Both teams then camped in Alstonefield. The teams demonstrated all the skills that had learnt during the year and our 6 assessors put them to the test as they saw them through the various checkpoints.

Day 1

Teams arriving at Wetton Mill

Mr. Dalgleish assessing one of his groups

"This is my field... what are you all doing?"

The students were awesome, considering that they all started quite late from each of the starting points the vast majority of the groups were back early evening. Well done. What fabulous views you were all treated to.

The old dinosaur is looking a bit tired but certainly a landmark of reaching the camp. Alstonefield, our place for the night.

1st teams making camp

Half way - We did it! Well done girls.

Teams were also arriving from the South, slightly longer may be but a beautiful walk via the Tissington trail or along the river to Mildale.

Ilam Rock footbridge

 

Stanshope

Tram 7 - Wettton

Goodnight...

Day 2

We awoke to the sign of another beautiful day. the teams were excellent at breaking camp and getting themselves organised. The first team was away at 07.45! Impressive, with all 12 teams being off site by 09.30. Well done everyone.

Ilam Hall - We did it. #wearedofe #dofe

Debrief and tent drying

 

Teams heading north had a treat waiting at the end. Hulme End - The Tea Junction. Fabulous home cakes and Kelly's Cornish Ice Cream mmm.

Sun accessories!

What is that fruit all about?

All 12 groups were spot on and the assessors praised the groups for their resilience, team work, camp craft and in most cases navigation!

Well done all, you did this section really well. Many of you have now completed the award. Some have bits to finish off so get it done for September so that you can be part of this years BAP, Our Bronze Award Presentation will be held in the Autumn term. If you are up for silver then you must complete the Bronze award that you have started. Start your sections, this can all be back dated to June/July 2019 for current year 9. May be follow twitter and the blog to see what the Y10's are up to on their practice or their training that was held at the end of the Easter holidays.

This is a great picture with some well spoken words.