The Flagpole

Lots of pupils have shown initiative and tenacity towards completing their Duke of Edinburgh's Awards this year including, Year 10 pupils Amelie and Julia who are working towards their Silver Award.

The girls have been busy fundraising for local charities and supporting them in their work. Together, they chose to help Waverley Day Centre which provides a day-care service and activities for older people in Kenilworth and the surrounding area. In October last year, the girls completed the 'Two Castles' sponsored walk from Kenilworth Castle to Warwick Castle, as part of the 'Walk for Waverley' fundraising campaign. They have also posted leaflets in the local area to raise awareness of the Centre, and made and distributed posters for the annual Waverley bottle tombola, which should have taken place last December.  Unfortunately, due to local Covid-19 restrictions, the bottle tombola could not go ahead as planned and the Waverley Day Centre had to temporarily close its doors. Undeterred and in preparation for the Centre’s re-opening this April, Julia created an Irish dance video to entertain the Centre’s clients safely.

Amelie has also been fundraising for Rugby Foodbank (part of the Trussell Trust). Having carried out various activities over the last six months, including a sponsored 50km bike ride, she used the funds raised to make and decorate 48 Christmas gift bags and 101 Easter gift bags filled with mainly toiletries and food treats, which have been distributed to children of clients visiting the foodbank. Foodbanks have played an increasingly important role during the Covid-19 period and Rugby Foodbank has supported over 100 clients per week and anticipates a continuing high number of people accessing their services in the Rugby area. 

Amelie said, “I had already decided to help the Foodbank before Covid-19, but it then became even more important. It was great that I could continue to fundraise during lockdown and I am so pleased that the gift bags were helpful. On the same day that we dropped off the Easter giftbags I received an email from John Hemmings, the Foodbank Engagement Officer who I had been dealing with, saying that they really valued the giftbags and that they had already started distributing them. I’m now planning Christmas giftbags!”

The girls’ initiative and proactive approach to completing the volunteering section of the Silver Award is commendable and they are well on their way to completing their award.

Well done to everyone on completing your practice expedition over the last couple of weeks. All being well as we progress to the next stage of the government roadmap, the qualifying trips will include overnight camping. The next step is for all participants to plan their qualifying expedition routes.

Y9 Bronze 

The Bronze Review and Route Planning takes place on Sunday 9 May in the Limes. 

Group A - 9.00am - 12 noon   

Group B – 1.00pm – 4.00pm 

This important element of the expedition section is mandatory for all participants. Please arrive promptly; bring a pen, notebook, your DofE folder and a facemask. You should wear appropriate casual clothing. In the meantime, all participants should aim to log hours, collect evidence and sign off their physical, volunteering and skill sections.   

Y10 Silver 

The Silver Review and Route Planning takes place on Sunday 9 May 9.00am - 4.00pm in the Limes.

This important element of the expedition section is mandatory for all participants. Please arrive promptly; bring a pen, notebook, your DofE folder and a facemask. You should wear appropriate casual clothing. The additional time will help consolidate your menu planning, rucksack packing and first aid skills in preparation for your 3-day overnight expedition. We may finish slightly earlier; the exact timing will reflect the endeavour of each group. In the meantime, please continue to log hours, collect evidence and sign off your physical, volunteering and skill sections. 

Will Bower
Head of Outdoor Education – DofE Manager

I would like to take this opportunity to remind you about the wide variety of Co-curricular activities and clubs that are on offer during lunch time and after school.

The summer programme is always very different to the activities offered through the winter with staff trying to make the most of the outdoor spaces and the beautiful weather.

Already this term we have seen Art Club drawing outside, huge numbers at tennis, cricket and rounders and the outdoor classroom getting lots of use. 

A list of all the Co-curricular activites can be found at the front of the Trinity 2021 Termly Calendar which you will have received by post over the Easter holidays. Alternatively, click here to view an electronic version. 

Neil McCollin
Assistant Head - Co-Curricular

I am delighted we are able to offer Archery as one of our after school Sporting Clubs. 

There are two sessions for the Trinity 2021 term:

Wednesday 4.00pm - 5.15pm - beginners

Thursday 4.00pm - 5.15pm - advanced

If you are interested in joining either of these archery sessions please contact Mr Southern beforehand by email to ensure the correct equipment is available in these covid times.

Neil McCollin
Assistant Head - Co-Curricular