During the October break, seventeen Upper Sixth students and one recent leaver underwent their rescheduled expedition for the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award in the Oxfordshire countryside.
With the temporary changes to Duke of Edinburgh expedition rules, students who were due to complete their assessed Gold Expedition back in April did so this October break. The rules stipulated there were to be no overnight stays, so rather than the wild terrain of the Lake District the group had to settle for the wilds of rural Oxfordshire. Another change meant students worked together in groups of six and sanitised their hands after touching gates. The students were also respectful of the social distancing rules when encountering members of the public during their expedition.’
The expedition took place over four days, the first day was a long 25km walk from Bloxham School to Milcombe via the Baulk path to South Newington onto Nether Worton then’Hempton, via Milton back to school. The following day went from Hook Norton to Whichford, onto Long Compton and back to Hook Horton. Day three started at Church Enstone onto Little then Great Tew, before back to South Newington and Milcombe before arriving back at school. The final day started at school to Broughton via Hobb Hill then onto Lower Tadmarton and Swalcliffe Lea and back to Hook Norton where the debriefing and celebration took place.
Congratulations to the following students who successfully completed the expedition: Lottie L, Lily W, Jessie U, Luka H B, Henry S, Harry N, Max K, Charlie Y, Charlie D, Oliver T, Simon D, Scott T,’ Patrick McN, Zac W, Toby L, James F, George B and now Old Bloxhamist Tom B (unable to do it during his U6 year).
Thank you to the staff who helped; D Barber (Head of Outdoor Education), J Merris (Leader of Gold Duke of Edinburgh), P Sanderson, M Buckland and S Thompson for giving up their holiday time to enable the expedition to take place.
See more photos from the expedition on our Flick page here.