School_Matters_Issue_34

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TEAM BUILDING DAY The new academic year got underway for Senior 7 pupils with a host of team building activities on the Cooper’s Campus playing fields. Learning to work together was the name of the game and it was good to see them sticking with it!

night saw them wandering around with an instructor practising their night navigation in the pitch-black. Over the next two days the groups walked between 18km and 25km. Not only did the groups take to it like fish to water but they did so with high spirits and bright smiles. On Day Three the groups were left by themselves to put their new skills to the test, and they did so with much proficiency and valour. A final route over the mountains marked the end of what was a very impressive and exciting expedition. The determination, enthusiasm and conduct of all pupils are credit to both themselves and the School. They (and the weather) exceeded our expectations on so many levels. Mr Ross Greenwood, Master in charge of Pupil Development

SILVER DOFE 41 PVI Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award participants embarked on a challenging three day expedition in the Brecon Beacons National Park. Since the PVIs had missed their Bronze Assessed Expedition, it was a big step up for them to advance to the Wild Country, normally reserved for Gold level participants. With outstanding natural beauty as their backdrop and amazing weather, the groups began their training. The first

GOLD DOFE One message that has been consistent with government guidance in many countries is that one of the best places for limiting transmission of the coronavirus is in the open air. Nevertheless, it was only after a number of additional safety measures were put in place that IPS was able to realise its cherished ambition of taking 51 pupils to the Black Mountains for their Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. The visit took place at the start of the Autumn Half Term, just prior to the imposition of more stringent lockdown restrictions across the UK. This area had extremely low Covid-19 cases and our pupils had no contact with any members of the public during their visit. It meant that the pupils were able to experience an amazing trip, in open countryside, hiking through this breathtaking landscape. The pupils practised both by night and day, honing their navigation and camp- craft skills. In the face of adversity, the pupils stepped up and managed themselves in a mature and considerate way throughout. Congratulations to our LVI for their success in their Gold Practice Expedition and to our UVI pupils for their last of many expeditions they have experienced together.