In early September 2023 the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in LGS got underway with the Year 11 Silver group building on the training they had had in June, with further training sessions involving mapwork, rucksack packing and tent pitching. On Friday 15 September they began a 2-day training expedition in the Binevenagh area, camping at the Waterfall Caves Campsite. Although the group found this expedition challenging, they all enjoyed it and coped very well with the physical and mental demands.
On Thursday 12 October the Gold Practice Expedition got underway for a small group of Year 13 students. As a result of disruption to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Programme over the last few years due to COVID 19, this was their first experience of an expedition and the challenges it presents. After a reasonably gentle start on the Thursday afternoon the participants completed 2 tough 20km days on the Friday and Saturday. The Friday took them from The Roe-Valley Country Park to Donalds Hill and Cam Forest. With the Saturday covering Binevenagh, The Bishop’s Road and Downhill. Throughout the expedition the attitude of the participants was excellent and we as staff were fully confident that this group was ready to undergo Gold Assessment in the Lake District at the end of the school year.
The next expedition of the year was the Silver Practice Expedition in the Antrim Hills from Thursday 18 to Saturday 20 April. The participants were dropped off at Bryvore Bridge and made their way around Trostan to their campsite at Agan Bridge. Throughout the afternoon the weather was awful – wind, heavy rain and mist. By the time they got to camp most of the group were very cold and wet, however, despite this morale generally remained high. Given the poor weather conditions organised teamwork was vital to ensure tents were pitched correctly and meals were cooked thoroughly on their Trangia Stoves, and everyone worked together to make sure this happened. Due to how well organised they were on the Thursday evening, most of the group had a reasonably good night’s sleep in well-pitched dry tents and were able to begin their second day in good spirits. From this point the weather improved dramatically for the rest of the expedition and the group were able to enjoy the stunning views from Trostan, Collin Top and Glenariff. The expedition finished at Glenariff Visitor Centre in glorious sunshine, and before the bus picked them up, an exhausted group made the most of what the cafe had to offer them. The lessons learnt on this trip will stand all participants in good stead when they undergo their Silver Assessment Expedition in the local area from Sunday 9 to Tuesday 11 June, when they will cover 50km with packed rucksacks over the 3 days and 2 nights.
It is with great excitement that participants and staff are looking forward to the Gold Assessment, which returns to the Lake District after a 5 year break. From Sunday 23 June until Wednesday 26 June participants will complete 80km starting in Keswick and finishing in Braithwaite, taking in some of the most stunning scenery this beautiful part of the world has to offer. The expedition will obviously be very demanding, however, this group will rise to the challenge and will have the time of their lives.
So far this year the following Year 12 pupils have completed their Silver Award: Charlotte Wilson, Daniel Millen, Meg Smyth, Ellen Gibbons, Anna McGookin, Ross Bond, Noah Graham and Sophie Harkin. In Year 14 both Eden McGlinchey and Amy Henry have successfully completed their Gold Awards, along with Former Pupils Conor McClelland and Daneen Rice. It is widely recognised that both the Silver and Gold Awards require a great deal of hard work, dedication and commitment, and that all successful participants deserve huge congratulations and respect – well done all of you!
