Mr Scott writes: “Last Wednesday, 36 of our Year 10 Bronze Award students set off of their Final Expedition in the local area. 3 groups were transported to their starting point on the Ardilea Road in Clough and 3 groups set off from school. Over the next 6-7 hours our teams travelled through a variety of environments and past a number of local landmarks such as Murlough House, the Slieve Donard Hotel, Tipperary Wood, the Mast, the White Plains and Parnell's Bridge to name but a few on their way to their campsite in Tollymore Forest Park. The craic was mighty and the singing was...eh...we'll say no more! Tents were soon pitched and a variety of tasty dishes were cooked before a crunch match of rounders ensued. I'm pretty sure Mr Dagen's team lost!?
To the teachers dismay the groups were up and about at 4:30am on Thursday morning - some even had snapped the sunrise! So needless to say by 7:30am our groups were ready to rock and roll and started to set out on Day 2 of their expedition. We were fortunate to dodge the worst of the weather in the morning as we packed up camp but it soon set in, creating some very difficult wet and windy weather. Wet weather routes were put in place and our groups all completed their Day before they were completely soaked through! Back in school, tents were hung out, trangia's were washed and the students themselves were dried out!
A huge congratulations must go to each participant who completed their Bronze Expedition and who, even in the most difficult of weather conditions, remained in high spirits throughout.
Finally, a mention must go to Mr Bailey and Riot in Dundrum for providing minibus support to transport the participants to their starting point. A huge thank from the staff and participants in Shimna!
Mr Pagan writes: “A big thank you to our three assessors, Beth Cairnduff, Mr Mayers and Mr Scott, along with our Joint Award staff of Niamh Lindsay, Mr Dagen, Mr Allen, Juneve Nicholls, Matthew Peters and Mr Leckey, without whom none of this would have been possible.”
