In a bid to give ‘some light at the end of the tunnel’, Mr Goodright continues to be in close communication with the Duke of Edinburgh expedition company and has re-arranged the bronze, silver and gold practice and expedition dates. The dates have been confirmed with Mr K Ford, Headteacher.
Below are the proposed dates (providing normal school activity has resumed).
Bronze
September 19th 20th PRACTICE WALKING
October 3rd 4th EXPEDITION WALKING ASSESSMENT
Silver/Gold
September 3rd 4th 5th 6th PRACTICE PADDLING
September 24th 25th 26th 27th EXPEDITION PADDLING ASSESSMENT
Off-Grid Adventures have explained that it has become commonplace to use September and October for the expedition section of the qualification, due to a change in ruling for the accommodation. Should it be necessary, due to very cold or adverse weather conditions, participants can sleep in solid standing accommodation such as scout huts, as opposed to tents.
In the meantime, the Area Manager for the D of E has said that students should be completing as much work as they possibly can towards the other three strands. ‘alternative options’ for the physical, volunteering and Skill sections.
Physical
Walking, running, home based Youtube sports activities – such as yoga, pilates, HIIT classes, cycling
Skills
Cooking, baking, St John’s Ambulance First Aid resource- https://www.sja.org.uk/globalassets/documents/dofe/dofeselfteachworkbook.pdf
Duolingo app for learning a language, learning sign language, gardening, reading, board-games, card Games
Volunteering
Instead of going into the care home – give them a call or create post cards to send
Fundraise/raise awareness of the Coronavirus
Checking on elderly neighbours- leaving care packages at their door.
Ramblers – don’t lose your way – https://dontloseyourway.ramblers.org.uk/
Litter picking in their local area- not in contact with others
Missing maps – https://www.missingmaps.org/
Parkinson’s charity –https://www.100forparkinsons.com/the-project
Recording wildlife helping condervation-https://www.thesubath.com/volunteer/virtualvolunteering/
Cancer research charity – https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/get-involved/citizen-science
Please download the DofE app to continue the DofE awards at home.
If you do have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mr Goodright using email the GMS D of E address.
Resilience is certainly needed at the moment, this time must be the ultimate test of it.
