85 Silver dofe students enjoyed a multi-activity day at Tilgate Park, Crawley for a team building challenge to hone up their skills of independence prior to the expedition next week. They enjoyed a day of canoeing, raft building, mountain biking and orienteering. Many thanks to Dynamic Adventures for running another successful day and to the supervising staff.
4th Years completed their 3 day Silver training expedition 28-30 June. Conditions warmed up through the 3 days as 14 groups trekked across the North Downs and thence across the Surrey Hills. Groups improved their navigation and camp craft and staff were pleased with their positive approach throughout. Well done!
68 students trekked 30 miles over the North Downs from Dorking to… Dorking! The groups went via the North Downs (chalk) towards Guildford, camping at the stunning Chantries camp. They then crossed the clay vale to the extensive Heaths and woods of the Greensand Hills (Greensand) to Peaslake and Holmbury St Mary to a farm camp site under the south slope. The final day saw them trekking over the summit of Leith Hill back towards Dorking, finishing at North Holmwood. Weather was good, warm and dry and most groups avoided the worst downpours on the last day, finishing around midday. Well done all, good hiking with most groups improving their navigation.
More than 80 5th Year students completed their Silver qualifying expeditions along the South Downs 7-9 July 2013. Starting from Lewes they trekked over 30 miles and finished at Amberley Station. Dry, warm (hot on Sunday Day#1) and sunny weather was continuous throughout and, despite some blisters, groups finished in especially good spirits. Well done!
81 students completed their Silver training expedition June 30- July 2. In 3 days they walked over 30 miles in beautifully dry weather over the North Downs and Surrey Hills. Navigation was easy on Day1, following the North Downs Way, but proved more tricky for several groups on the route over Blackheath and the Surrey Hills on Day 2. Group speeds varied with some arriving at camp in the early afternoon, whilst others took their time and arrived 6 hours later! No real problem in summertime but please remember that sticking closely to ETAs is important to qualify and it is not a race… accurate navigation is the goal; if your group is going to be late to a checkpoint then call your supervisor and rearrange things.
This group was one of the most affable and spirited Silver training group of recent years. Well done and keep it up!
4th years:
Meet RYKAS Cafe, nr Dorking on A24: Sunday 9 or 10am depending on your start time.
Check with staff before departure: be ready for full traffic lights check before departure.
Groups finish Tuesday (from 11pm-ish) North Holmwood village, south of Dorking off A24.
Parent pick ups from this location.
Bring all usual kit but especially prepare for sun and warm weather Sunday: sun cream and sun hat required.
Visit training pages for more advice
Thank you to students, parents,. friends and governors for coming to the RGS award presentation evening on Friday. It was great to see so many students getting their awards.
The highlight was our 4 excellent Gold Award speakers: thanks to Luke, Hannah, Harriet and Jess for their inspiring talks.
well done – wear your badges at school with pride!
MrC
this week:
Tuesday:
5th Year silver meeting concert hall 4-5pm
Bridge course silver 4-5pm. Room 12
3rd Year bronze: MUST register on eDofE; meet your Award Leader anytime this week for final expedition organisation.
Kit store opens this week to collect your kit: you must check it.
please note: 3rd form Conservation Day this term is WRONG in the calendar: it IS Friday June 28 (not July5)
63 students returned from their post-GCSE break to complete their assessment hike across the South Downs. Most students travelled by train to Lewes. On Day 1 they trekked 20km to Ditchling Beacon and Park Wood in showers and broken sunshine. They coped well with the sogey conditions at camp. Another 20km trek took them to Washington via Truleigh Hill and Chanctonburry Ring on Day 2. They spent a beautifully sunny evening at Locks Farm. A final 12km push to Amberley and it was good to see the majority of students making the sustainable and independent choice by taking the train home. Staff were impressed by the enthusiasm of groups and their attempts to leave no trace of their journey. Well done!
Reigate Grammar School DofE 