Bronze DofE Practice Expedition

On Friday, the 2nd of October, 105 Year 9 students trudged through the school gates carrying rucksacks—some of which were bigger than them and weighed nearly as much! They gathered in the MEC with the anticipation that always precedes an adventure.

They made their way across fields to Charlbury, where they set up camp and cooked dinner. Some of the meals looked and smelled incredible, while others highlighted a potential need to practice culinary skills before the next expedition! It was wonderful to see everyone interacting without devices, enjoying card games, catch, sack races in their sleeping bags, and handstand competitions.

After a good night's sleep, they woke up determined to complete their journey and walked back to school to be collected by their families.

It is easy to get complacent when constantly hearing how fantastic our students are, but as the largest group we have ever had taking on the Bronze Award, their feedback remained exceptionally high. Our students stepped up to the challenge and proved that our school values aren't just something we talk about—they are a lived experience. They demonstrated ambition, perseverance, and respect, truly letting their light shine.