Practice and training in the Black Mountains 2018

It is the turn of the Black Mountains to host training for our future silver and gold award students of year 10. During this time our year 11 and 12 students we on practice expeditions to check their abilities before qualification this September.

The location for base camp was in the village of Cwmdu, an ideal place to carry out lots of training with year 10 in the surrounding area and for the checking on the teams who were taking in the following areas:

Sugar Loaf
Llanthony
Mynydd Troed
Mynydd Llangynidr

The students had some highs and lows but all showed great determination to learn from mistakes and have a successful expedition. The weather was unusually hot and this itself provided a challenge for staff and students a like. Supervisors became pack horses often carrying their own water plus some 8 litre packs which were perfect for extra top ups for our groups. Thanks Vango!

Year 10 got to grips with their camp craft again and completed 3 days of training which helped them build on their previous award and learn some new skills to help them navigate more confidently. They also simulated a leg of an expedition with basically full packs. Well done year 10.

Gold 2018

Gold 2018 + Mr. Dalgleish

Silver 2018

Llanthony Priory

Silver Sugar Loafers

Year 10 trainees

Mynydd Troed

Bronze 2018 Qualification expedition

The coaches arrived late morning having set off promptly from school. A little bit of cloud cover and the treat of the odd spot of rain. Nothing like what the girls had on their practice was expected. The groups were all focused and happy to give it all for their qualifying expedition. The girls set off on their routes from Ilam Hall expecting to reach Alstonefield by early evening.

The routes take in the beautiful area of the Peak District with lots of fauna and flora to take in. We look forward to the array of the pictures and videos from the students in the coming months. Lots of Jackdaws around the tea rooms. :-)

Looking towards Ilam - where are they?

No rain please

 Group 6 already to go.

Group 5 almost there - Stanshope

Group 7

Overdale. A beautiful spot - Camp being made.

All 12 groups did really well, everyone back in record time. Very impressive. The staff all got their evening meal before sunset!

All 4 members of group 10 all set up and relaxing.

Everyone had a restful night having cooked a good evening meal and group conversations with hot chocolate. Everything looked set for a great final day of qualification. Would they be up and out on time for their final day?

What a beautiful morning. It will be hot but by 07.30 the first groups were fed, backed up, briefed and off. Very impressive!

Mr. Dalgleish running through the routes with the groups.

Group 12

Group 2

Holy is it that cold? Really!

All ready to go like the wind Charlotte. Rapid time today maybe? Everyone early and eager to go. The groups have different destinations both may end with ice creams after a debrief. Hulme End and Hartington.

Group 11 all in good spirits. Love the bottle pigtails Megan.

Group 10 Dale End - not far now

Group 5 in great spirits as always. Is that you Charlotte?

Group 2 with Birthday Girl Nubia. All in good spirits.

 Group 2 - ready for a 'wild camp' on mid summers night. The stars will be epic.

Group chats and hot chocolate  what a fabulous evening. I love that kettle Evelyn!

Well that concludes our Bronze Duke of Edinburgh award for 2018. Year 9 you have been truly amazing a credit to yourselves. Please do the last little bit now by finishing off the loose ends so that you can get your award. Everyone has passed so no real excuses. your leaders our all available just drop them an email.

Bronze 2018 Practice Expedition

No snakes his year but lots of interesting things to see!

On the 23rd May 72 girls all met up at QMHS with excitement and nerves about the prospect of camping and being self sufficient for 3 days. The girls got into their paired groups and set off from Castle ring with their supervisors to complete their final aspects of the training program. The weather was fabulous and the girls had a long day to implement all of their learning. Most groups walked between 12 and 15 km. Well done to all.

Group 1

Group 7

Next it was to set up camp and get cooking. All teams did really well and everyone was in good spirits and positive about the next two practice days that would follow.

Camp all set, where's the food...

Group 6

Thursday was over to the students, they had various circular routes to follow, taking in lots of good scenery of Cannock Chase. The girls all did really well with their navigation. All groups were set up and cooking their food in record time this year. Maybe the prospect of eating Smore's was the motivator!

Day 2 stepping stone...steady girls!

Coppice Hill Car park checkpoint

Bronze Duke of Edinburgh 2018

 Smore's time

Last day! Well the evening was nice until the darkness, cloud and rain descended. Frinday morning was basically wet. It rained and it poured pretty much all day. The girls had a real challenge with how to deal with packing up and getting ready in the rain. Hopefully it will have taught them lots about the sequence things have to come in. Some would have had very wet inner tents had they have been camping another night! The drying process that followed once off expedition also needs reflection. It is essential that all kit is aired and dried completely before being packed away.

Well done everyone. Now let's make the qualification expedition even better. Keep working hard on your sections and get those routes completed. Remember to use the resources on classroom if you still need inspiration for your expedition aim.