A Busy Week for Finborough Duke of Edinburgh Students
Finborough School students have been putting their resilience, teamwork and outdoor skills to the test this week as part of the Duke of Edinburgh Award programme.
At the weekend, thirty-one Year 9 students completed their Bronze practice expedition, hiking from Needham Market to school where they spent the night before setting off on the return trip the next day. Fortunately, the weather was kind, allowing students to pitch their tents in dry conditions before enjoying perfect weather for the return hike on Sunday. Alongside developing navigation and expedition skills, the bronze students also learnt some valuable lessons about sensible packing — with “more snacks, less makeup” becoming a memorable takeaway from the trip!
Mrs Foss gave special praise to student Brooke, who showed exceptional determination despite suffering from severe blisters throughout the expedition. Brooke remained in considerable pain but refused to give up, returning to base with both tears and a smile — a remarkable display of perseverance and character!
Later in the week, fifteen Year 10 students continued their Silver Award canoe training at Lackford Lakes. The group completed their second day on the water in preparation for their Silver practice expedition in June. At Finborough, Bronze expeditions are hiking based, while Silver and Gold expeditions take place by canoe. The approach allows students to gain proficiency in a different outdoor discipline while developing navigation skills, teamwork and environmental awareness in a unique and challenging setting. The students embraced their time on the lake and will have another opportunity to develop their canoeing skills during the upcoming and much anticipated Wales trip at half term. This is an additional experience that the school offers to all students on any level of Duke of Edinburgh award. With hiking, gorge walking, white water rafting and canoeing on offer, it’s a highlight of the summer term for participants.
