The Flagpole

Apologies to Miss Scott and her pupils that we forgot to include this fantastic co-curricular report in the last edition of the Flagpole.

After the excitement of the festivities of the last day of term had subsided the Virtual Cookery Clubs’ attentions turned to another important Christmas activity. Members of the group had made fruity Christmas cakes on a rainy Tuesday evening back in November. The cakes had been fed regularly with a slosh of an alcohol of choice and were ready to be adorned. A Teams meeting had been arranged for 5.30pm on the first day of the school holidays. 

The session began with the cakes being prepared and covered with a coating of apricot glaze and a thin layer of golden marzipan. Then it was time for important design decisions to be made, should it be a soft fondant finish or a retro royal icing? The group then unleashed their creative Christmassy ideas onto their blank icing canvasses.

Miss Scott chose retro royal icing and, inspired by being locked down at home, replicated her front door in a snowy scene.

David Ikuomola in Year 9 made two cakes and was inspired to create a Merry Christmas message using lettering.

Year 7, Sophie Henry’s parents brought a celebratory feel to the session by enjoying festive beverages whilst watching Sophie’s colourful production come to fruition

James Reynolds in Year 9 achieved a very smooth finish and embellished his fruit cake with a snowy scene of Santas and snow balls.

Jacqui Scott, commented, "I am sure you will agree that the cakes looked fantastic and make beautiful centre pieces. I am also sure they tasted as wonderful as they looked and I find it hard to beat a slice of Christmas cake with a good cup of tea curled up with a good cookbook on a darkening Christmas afternoon."

To join the Virtual Cooking Club which is held afterschool on Wednesday from 5.30pm send an email to Miss Scott to join the Team.

Jacqui Scott
Food and Nutrition Teacher

Well done to those who met the first deadline and submitted their eDofE programme planners by Tuesday 15 December.  Please check to see if your selections have been approved and whether any further information is required.  You can now start logging your hours and collecting evidence. 

Remember DofE have provided lots of 'lockdown' options so that you can complete your award despite the pandemic. 

https://www.dofe.org/dofewithadifference/activities

Due to lockdown, we will be forced to re-arrange the Gold and Silver expedition training at the end of January.  Please keep an eye on your emails for further information. 

For those still finalising their activities, please see below a summary of the necessary steps. 

Additional guidance has been emailed directly home, please could participants spend some time reading through this information with their parents. 

1. Login to eDofE website and update personal details – DofE will then send your Participant Handbook directly to you.
2. Set the timescales for your award (for example at Bronze - physical 6, volunteering 3 and skill 3 months).
3. Complete the ‘programme planners’ for physical, volunteering and skill sections. This includes:    

• selecting the activity
• inputting start dates
• setting a goal to achieve
• recording your assessor details

Submit your ‘programme planners’ online to your DofE Leader for approval. Once approved you can start your award. 

In addition to the email sent to pupils and parents, resources can be found on MySchoolPortal

Will Bower
Head of Outdoor Education – DofE Manager

We may not be able to hold our regular book group meetings in the library just now, but pupils and staff are still able to enjoy the usual sociable and stimulating discussions in the clubs' online counterparts.  The meeting for Book and Biscuit is held on Monday lunchtimes and is for Years 7 and 8.  Lockdown Book Chat is held during Wednesday tutor time and is for Years 9 and above. 

We were pleased to learn that the Carnegie Award Shadowing will be going ahead this year as normal, with the longlist announced in February and the shortlist in March; we are looking forward to this annual tradition of debating (and disagreeing about!) the merits of the various titles. All are welcome to join us - email celiascott@princethorpe.co.uk or nicolaborman@princethorpe.co.uk to be added to the Team.

Bronze 

Well done to all who have completed their award so far; certificates will be distributed in due course.

For the remainder of participants, please prioritise this over the coming weeks by uploading your physical, volunteering and skills section assessor reports. 

For help please refer to the DofE temporary Changes Update, eDofE Completion Guide and the Electronic Assessor Report Guide.

Mr Robertson and I will be in touch to complete the DofE Completion Drop-In Sessions online.

Silver and Gold

Well done to those who have managed to complete their physical volunteering and skills sections; excellent work. An update regarding the qualifying expeditions will be sent out in due course as the lockdown restrictions are lifted.  

For help please refer to the DofE temporary Changes Update, eDofE Completion Guide and the Electronic Assessor Report Guide.

I will contact participants to help you to sign off your volunteering, physical and skill sections. 

Will Bower
Head of Outdoor Education – DofE Manager