End of Term Review

Since this September when Mr Brice and I joined Mr Jackson in the Outdoor Education Department, we have introduced a number of new activities to the school. PE and Games lessons now regualrly see Ultimate Frisbee, Power Kiting, Mountain Bike Skills, Indoor Climbing and Team Challenges.

We have purchased an Outdoor Education Landrover and a fleet of 16 Mountain Bikes which are in regular use.

I have been able to assist Mr Jackson with his pre-existing 6th Form Climbing afternoons and with the two of us present we have managed to get more students involved, been outside and inside, bouldering and roped climbing. We have a high number of them lead climbing and making good progress. We also took them Coasteering in Torbay to mix the skills up a bit.

Mr Brice and I have run a number of weekend Mountain Bike trips to Dartmoor and Haldon Hill as well as White Water Kayak trips to the River Dart. School staff have also been involved with a trip to The Gower in October half term.

I have approved a number of Duke of Edinburgh's Awards to students who have been working hard to complete all the sections. 4 Gold,  12 Silver and 6 Bronze.

The Outdoor Education Team would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Mr G Starks (Head of Outdoor Education)

Christmas Climb

Elliot the Elf

Mr Jackson and Mr Starks

Rudolph giving out some climbing tips

Today Santa (Mr Jackson) and Rudolph (Mr Starks) took a few students off to Dart Rock for a Chritsmas climb. Despite having hooves Rudolph and Santa (Santa does not have hooves) both managed a climb, the Christmas elf also did well on the wall. Those people who were not in fancy dress also enjoyed the session at Dart Rock. I came close to a 7b but fell several times on the last section.     

Alex Moore (Year 11)

Ultimate Frisbee - Year 9 PE

As part of year 9 PE the students take part in a six week block of Outdoor and Adventurous Activities. Today we used Ultimate Frisbee to encourage the students to think about team work and to try something new. The Students picked it up really quickly, it was refreshing to see all of them get so enthused. As you can see by the pictures Mr Mutlow and myself couldn't help but get involved in the action. The students finished the session asking if they can play Ultimate Frisbee again next week.

Mr Brice

Route setting at Marjon's University climbing wall.

Today, Mr Jackson and I went to Marjon's University to set some routes on their climbing wall. We set 4 routes and improved a few others. We were helped by Will (one of the students) who set some new problems on the bouldering wall.


D. Brice (Assistant Head of Outdoor Education)

Student Kayaking trip to the Lower Dart

Staff Lower Dart Paddling

Today Mr Brice and I took staff out to paddle the Lower Dart. The water was higher than last week by at least 12 inches and these made for a faster run. Some of the rapids had washed out but others had developed nicely to make for some good teaching opportunities on the way down.

G. Starks (Head of Outdoor Education)

Dart Rock YOBS

Today we picked up 1st in the Secondary Mixed and 3rd in the Secondary Boys at the Youth Open Bouldering Series at Dart Rock. Well done to all 7 of our students who took part and gave a good performance. The 20 routes ranged from V0 to V5 and our students put in a good effort on all of them.

G. Starks (Head of Outdoor Education)

Last week at Marjon's Climbing Wall

Today we were back at Marjon's Climbing Wall where there was a lot of climbing but also a lot of falling going on. There has been some obvious improvement in the way the students have tackled the routes over the 4 weeks we have been visiting the wall. This is our final week at Marjon's wall as we like to mix it up a bit but we will return there in the New Year.

White water kayaking on the River Dart (Holne Bridge - Buckfastleigh)

We arrived at Holne Bridge to launch the fleet of brightly coloured boats along with 6 students and 3 staff down the River Dart, everyone seemed excited to get on the water but first boats where adjusted and two by two the boats where carried to the waters edge. Once launched, it was time to practice skills, learn new ones and put them all into practice on the inviting white water ahead, everyone was able to stay upright and move their boat forward on the intial calm, gentle flowing river but this didnt last.
As one by one what could have been mistaken as six ducklings eager to take flight, followed Mr Starks down the river as each horizon brought the exciting noise of fast flowing water, churning and disappering in the distance you could feel both the apprehension and excitment. Ferrying across the river with eyes shut and listening for directions, made us focus on working with the boat, the river flow and listening to instructions. Waiting in the calm waters behind an eddy line Mr Starks and Mr Brice checked out the more scary sounding waters, directing the group one by one down drops and weirs always getting a face full of water and for some a little more...

If there were awards, Sam won the one for being the fish in the group, Harry for his general fearlessness and Henry for his over commitment when turning the boat. Basically if you didnt get it right, it was going to go wrong. All in all, one splendid day out on the water!

Miss Gee

Ready, Steady, Cook - D of E style

On Friday, the L6 Gold D of E students were challenged to cook two courses of a meal on Trangias - boil in the bags were strictly forbidden! Competition was fierce - some students brought specialist cooking equipment, whilst others relied on inventive ingredients. One group nearly killed Mr Starks by putting some ("it's only medium!") sauce onto a bacon sandwich; he is still recovering, thankfully at home and not at Derriford. Mr Beavington bravely tasted each and every meal - no mention of food poisoning yet. The sun shone on the students and great fun was had by all. Winners will be announced in assembly on Tuesday.

Miss A Starling (Head of Gold D of E)

Marjons Climbing Wall

Today, we set off for Marjon's Climbing Wall again at lunch and had a punctual start. First I warmed up on the bouldering wall and then did some lead climbing. The Marjons climbing wall has improved a lot since Mr Jackson started putting up new routes. I then moved back to the bouldering wall and spent most of the rest of the session improving on it. Overall I had a great time but spirits were somewhat dampened by absence of a working vending machine...

Charlie Andrews (Year 11)

Mountain Biking at Haldon Forest Park, Exeter

 'Enjoying the uphill fire road section'

 'Freddie getting some air in the skills area'

 'Will getting some air in the skills area'

'Sachin gets it wrong and tumbles into the bushes!!'

Video by Harry Tippetts (Year 10)

At nine o-clock we left school for Haldon hill, near Exeter, where we spent the day Mountain biking. First we started on the blue challenge trail, a long but relatively easy ride, before having a snack and going to the skills area. There we practiced jumping and "pushing" our bikes up and down short 1 metre hills. Then we went onto the red trail which is shorter but more difficult to ride on. In the skills area, Harry Baker fell off while trying to jump over a log, and Freddie Eyston slipped off a wooden plank. While on the red trail, I fell off a corner and landed in some fortunately soft mud. Every one enjoyed themselves all day.

Harry Tippetts (Year 10)

Rock & Rapid Adventure Centre Interschool Climbing Competition 2011

Harry on the balancy crux of the Yr 9 - 11 Boys' second route.

Inez on slopers on the Yr 12-13 Girls' route 2.

Sam about to be spat off the powerful Yr 12-13 Boys' route 2.

Nic cruising up the first Yr 9-11 Boys' boulder problem.

Evey on the powerful start of the Yr 9-11 Girls' second boulder problem.

Inez fighting not to cut loose on the Yr 12-13 Girls' second bouldering problem.

After an early start and a long drive Inez B-R, Sam B, Elliot H, Alex M, Harry Mc, Chris M, Matt J, Niclas C and Evey O arrived at the Rock & Rapid Adventure Centre to take part in the annual Interschool Climbing Competition. The competition was split into Yr 9-11 and Yr 12-13 and also into male and female categories. There were three top-rope routes and three bouldering problems for each competitor to attempt, points were gained depending on how far up the route they managed to climb.

Despite a huge effort from everyone we were somewhat outclassed by West Buckland's National Squad climbers so we didn't win, but everyone enjoyed visiting a different wall and trying some new problems.

Another visit to Marjon's Wall

Today we went to Marjons sports centre for indoor climbing. After having got there we started with some bouldering before moving on to top-roping. Alex and Charles participated in top roping while Elliot and I practiced our bouldering techniques by completing a few routes and removing holds from the route each time. The afternoon was thoroughly enjoyable as everyone seemed to achieve something while having fun. I feel that climbing pushes you to improve and think that I have succeeded in improving my technique.

Alastair Williams (Year 11)