57 Varieties of Bronze

This month, a Bronze Award cohort of fifty-seven of our Year 10 students successfully completed the final stage of their expedition training. They demonstrated impressive resilience and teamwork throughout.

Training took place over two full days. On day one, students spent half the day developing their navigation skills in Donard Forest, confidently exploring routes from the Granite Trail and Quarry to the mast, armed with maps and compasses. The other half of the day was spent back at base building essential expedition skills, including rucksack packing and responding to first aid scenarios. We have some outstanding future medics in our ranks, it would appear.

Day Two saw each team set off on their own adventure, navigating their way to Tollymore Youth Campsite. There, students showcased their growing independence by preparing a well-earned cooked lunch before setting out on their return journey, revitalised by a well-deserved ice cream stop along the way!

Particular highlights included the hot dogs and bacon butties cooked up by Dara, Conor and James. Some students even found the opportunity to 'guide' staff in perfecting their navigation skills. Take note, Mr Dagen.

Staff were hugely impressed with the enthusiasm, determination, and skill shown by every group, even along the Granite Trail! We now look forward with great anticipation to the Bronze Award expeditions in June. A sincere thank you to our dedicated and ever-growing staff team: Tom Rodgers, Jools Crory, Mary Donnelly, Maria Curran, Niamh Lindsay, Shelagh McCann, Mr Dagen, Mr Mayers and Mr Scott. Their commitment is essential in making this experience possible.