On 17th-19th May 2024, 120 Year 10s went to Heaven Farm in Uckfield to complete the expedition section of their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award, accompanied by myself, Mrs Jones, Mr Moodie, Mr Edwards, Miss Passco, Miss Stoutt and Mr Scott.
Students did their practice and qualifying expeditions on the same weekend, spending the Friday learning orienteering and camping skills, going on a practice walk, pitching their tents and cooking a communal meal in the evening.
On Saturday and Sunday, students were incredibly lucky with the weather, not seeing a drop of rain throughout the weekend, even if it was a bit chilly in the mornings. Students walked significant distances with their heavy backpacks and learnt a lot regarding navigation skills and orienteering, as well as cooking and camping as a team.
They did themselves very proud, with all of them passing their expedition section of the Bronze Award with flying colours, impressing the Sam Sykes assessors and representing Tiffin admirably.
Please do congratulate them on a successful expedition – I could not be more pleased with how they got on. The teamwork, camaraderie and positive attitude demonstrated by all the groups was fantastic, and students really got into the spirit of the expedition.
Students now have until the end of the academic year to complete their volunteering, physical and skills sections of their Award, to then have the opportunity to progress onto the Silver and maybe even Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award.