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Duke of Edinburgh
Duke of Edinburgh – Silver Award New Forest
An excellent time was had by all participants. The Friday afternoon walk over the moors was much appreciated by the girls following a day at school/exams, it certainly blew the cobwebs away!
Everyone had a great day on Saturday brushing up on their navigation skills and finding some excellent muddy puddles (hope the track suit bottoms have recovered Sophie?) Sunday proved equally challenging with mud and forest to contend with.
I am sure that once the tents, trangias, food choices and particularly boots (Ayesha) have been sorted out, the Assessment in June will be a breeze.
Well done, girls
Mrs Saddler
Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Practice – 21/22 April – Surrey Hills
An excellent weekend was had by all and we were so lucky with the weather, sunshine all weekend. The only rain we had was at 8pm at night when all but one of the groups had got their tents up ( I am sure that group will walk a little faster next time!).
Many thanks to all staff for supporting us with their time, particularly Mrs Haehnel and her family, on Sunday. Clare (aged 4) was an excellent support to the girls as they came through Blackheath Forest ( we call it the Bermuda Triangle of the Surrey Hills) with her encouraging shouts of. “Keep going girls!” We are looking forward to 19/20 May for the assessment.
Janet Saddler
"I really enjoyed the trip on the weekend to the Surrey Hills. It was really good fun and the weather was amazing - completely the opposite of the prediction of heavy, torrential rain! The views were amazing and being lost for two hours, in the middle of a forest, really helped build friendships and make the experience all that more memorable."
Charlotte Alder
“It was a great chance to clear our heads before exams and a lovely way to spend a weekend. Everyone enjoyed the challenging practice weekend for the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award. Despite the blood, sweat and tears, we found this a rewarding and refreshing trip. It was seen as a great opportunity to use the skills previously learnt and everyone was definitely put to the test."
Martha Sainsbury
Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award
Navigation in Bushy Park
An excellent morning of navigation practice took place on Sunday morning bright and early at 8am. All girls arrived seeming very cheery and acknowledging that it was a lovely day for a stroll in the park. It was a huge learning curve for the girls and an enlightening experience for the staff who were accompanying them.
Many thanks to Mrs Pearson and Mrs Blake for allowing us to have the pleasure of their respective husbands' company, looking forward to the weekend in the Surrey Hills.
Our thanks go as always to Mrs Ward, Mr and Mrs Oakley and Mrs Edwards for all their help.
Janet Saddler / David Rock DOE
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award London Gold Award Forum ...or GAF for short
In case you aren't familiar with it, GAF is a Forum made up of participants from all across London who are working towards their Gold Award. The government is keen for young people to have a say in the design and decision-making stages of programmes and provisions that affect them and GAF ensures they have that say!
Simrin Grewall who is one of our Gold Award participants, has been selected from a large number of applicants to represent Richmond on the forum. Following the initial forum Simrin was contacted and invited to become the new Face of DOE. She attended a photo session on Friday. Look out for Simrin appearing in the monthly newsletters and all Award publicity in the future.
Mrs Janet Saddler
Duke of Edinburgh Co-ordinator
Bronze Award Expedition dates
| Bushy Park Navigation | Sunday 26th February 2012 |
| Expedition Practice Surrey Hills | 21/22nd April 2012 |
| Expedition Assessment Surrey Hills | 19/20th May 2012 |
Silver Award Expedition dates
| Practice Expedition Exmoor | 5/6/7th May 2012 |
| Silver Assessment Peak District | 29/30 June 1st July |
Gold participants to accompany the Silver Award student for training.
Gold Award Forum
Gold participant Simrin Grewall has been accepted as a member of the Gold Award Forum, she must be congratulated on this achievement for her Volunteering Section. She applied along with many participants from all London Boroughs and we look forward to her updates of the activities she will be taking part in, among them a visit to either Dubai or Namibia to experience the International arm of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.
Janet Saddler
St Catherine’s has run the Duke of Edinburgh Award at Bronze level for a number of years. The award is open to students in Year 10 with enrolment beginning in Year 9. There is an intention to run the Silver and Gold Awards in Year 11 and the Sixth Form.
The course offers a chance for students to do something a bit different and face a new challenge.
Some Questions Answered.
What is the Duke of Edinburgh Award?
It is a chance to learn new skills and gain more self confidence as well as develop your ability to work in a group and you’re your community. You just need to be aged 14 and over and 24 and realise there’s more to life than sitting on a sofa watching life pass you by. You can do programmes at three levels, Bronze, Silver or Gold, normally Silver and Gold are done in Sixth Form.
You achieve an Award by completing a personal programme of activities in four sections. You'll find yourself helping people or the community, getting fitter, developing skills, going on an expedition
What do I do?
There are three sections to a Bronze Award:
- Volunteering - helping someone, your community or the environment (e.g: working in a charity shop or old peoples home)
- Physical - becoming fitter through sport, dance or fitness activities (e,g: playing in a school team)
- Skills - developing existing talents or trying something new (e.g: learning an instrument)
- Expedition - planning, training for and completing an adventurous journey. This is run through the school.
For many people it is possible that they are already doing many of these sections. Must you MUST complete all the sections to get the award.
How Long Does Take?
You must spend 3 months on each of the volunteering, physical and skills sections and you must do one for 6 months. There is an expectation that you will spend an hour at least a week on each section. Training for the expedition takes place in school time.
What equipment will I need to buy?
You will need sensible walking shoes, a walking rucksack, a sleeping bag and roll mat, wet weather gear and food and drinks.
How much does it cost?
The school charges £50.00 which covers the costs of Trangias, tents, maps and compasses. There are no other charges for the expedition section although parents maybe asked to pick up and drop off students.
The Richmond Award Centre charges £16.50 for the record books and admin costs.
Attendance
Attendance is expected at ALL sessions in order to successfully gain the award. Whilst the course is designed to be fun, challenging and enjoyable, full commitment to learning and respect for others is required throughout. Anyone failing to do this will be asked to reconsider their actions or be asked to leave.
Key Dates
The following events will take place in Year 10. The definite days and times will be added once known.
Introduction to the Award: There will be a talk about the nature of the award and what is involved. There will be a representative of Cotswold Outdoors to discuss appropriate equipment purchases.
Training Day: This will take place over one morning at the school. There will be sessions on map reading, tent construction and cooking using a Trangia.
Navigation Training Day: This will involve a morning’s map reading in Bushey Park, Teddington.
Weekend Training Day: A weekend walking and navigating in the Surry Hills in small groups and camping overnight in Bently Copse near Dorking.
Assessment Weekend: The girls will be assessed by an Independent assessor on the navigation, group work and camping skills. This will take place over a weekend in the Surrey Hills.
Presentation Evening: The successful girls can attend a presentation of their certificates at Hampton School.
Course Organisers
Mrs Saddler – Awards and Expedition
(please contact for all issues regarding assessment and training days)
Mr Rock – Admin
(please contact regarding all payment and signing off issues)
21/22 April – Surrey Hills
Simrin Grewall
Gold Award Participant