News

On Friday 24th September, seven Nower Hill staff: Mr Parker, Mr Noone, Miss Unwin, Miss Everleigh, Miss Luhar, Miss Bailey and Miss Louw, headed for Braidwood in the Chiltern Hills for our first Duke of Edinburgh (D of E) staff training camp of the year. The aim of the training camp was to build a team to train and nurture our ever growing numbers of Duke of Edinburgh participants, which currently stands at 162 Bronze and 13 Silver.

After pitching their tents, the group gathered together for a meal which gave them the opportunity to discuss the next day’s adventure. On return to camp, they set up a fire and spent the rest of the night roasting marshmallows on skewers and enjoying hot chocolate made on trangia stoves, the same equipment the students use when they camp.

After breakfast the next day, the group was joined by Mrs Watson, and later tracked down by Mr Mason in the woods on the way to Swan Bottom, where he shared his encyclopedic knowledge of trees and wildlife.

Mr Parker began the training on navigational skills, map setting and route planning and how to take refuge in a survival shelter. The group then walked for five hours, where each staff member was given the opportunity to lead so that they grew confidence, esteem and their own skills and independence in leading a group.

The weekend was a great success and gave the attendees the opportunity to build working relationships outside of the classroom, as important for the staff as it is for the students!

If any of our parents/carers have experience of scouting or Duke of Edinburgh assessing, or just have a genuine love of the outdoors and would like to get involved in helping with expeditions and training, then please email Mr Parker on admin@nowerhill.harrow.sch.uk