Oct 08 - Forty hike towards Bronze Award
In the first half of the Autumn Term over 40 pupils aged 14 or 15 from the Royal Alexandra and Albert School took part in expeditions for their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze award. Pupils packed up their rucksacks, including all the equipment they would need for an overnight stay, and set off from the School, on a hike to their overnight camp site at High Ashurst Outdoor Centre.
At the campsite they pitched their tent, prepared their evening meal of pasta and soup and spent the night under canvass. After an early start, they packed up the camp into their rucksacks and set off for the hike back to school via a different route. In all they hiked 15 miles.
The expedition tested their teamwork skills as they walked in groups and had to navigate a route using map and compass and there were often differences in opinion about which path to take. Nevertheless they all got to their destinations despite the occasional detour.
Davina Tijani 14, was one of the participants says “The expedition was fun but was also a challenge”.
Lewis White 14, another participant said “There were some experienced map readers in my group so we didn’t get lost, though there were some debates about the route.”
In the next few months they will work towards achieving the other elements of the Bronze award and these include volunteering and physical challenges.
Headmaster Paul Spencer Ellis said “The Duke of Edinburgh programme is very popular amongst our pupils. They are learning life–skills that will serve them well in the future. As a Sports College we are keen to support pupils in all kinds of healthy activities.”
