Year 9 pupils now participate in outdoor education lessons as a part of the curriculum. The lessons provide essential life skills and are especially important for pupils who are just about to embark on their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award. Over the course of the term they learn skills in route planning and navigation, core camp craft, such as erecting tents and using trangia stoves, first aid and emergency procedures.
This week pupils were busy cooking in the outdoor classroom. Having mastered the camp stoves in a previous session the challenge this time was to successfully cook a pasta dish. They all had great fun rustling up a hot meal, cooking the pasta with a tomato sauce, with some even preparing adventurous extras such as spicy chorizo, and they all rounded the lesson off with a mug of warming hot chocolate.
110 of the Year 9 year group have signed up to undertake the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh this year and will shortly be starting their skill, physical and volunteering sections.
Many of the 173 Princethorpe pupils who took part in the Duke of Edinburgh awards last year, Bronze, Silver and Gold awards, have now signed off all of the different elements and they will be invited to a celebration evening on Thursday 7 March where they will be presented with their award by guest speaker and adventurer, Squash Falconer. Those still to do the paperwork are encouraged to submit it as soon as possible.
The College is ranked third in Warwickshire in terms of successful participants and was recently delighted to be awarded a certificate by Duke of Edinbugh Central Office in recognition of the huge number of volunteer hours (over 2,500) that Princethorpe pupils completed under the Duke of Edinburgh scheme last year.
Will Bower, Head of Outdoor Education, commented, “Good luck to this year’s participants at the start of their Duke of Edinburgh adventure. It is challenging and often hard work but will provide unforgettable memories and a unique opportunity for learning outside of the classroom.”
