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)

Power-kiting with Boarders

 

A windy Sunday was well used by 16 boarders this weekend when Mr Brice, Miss Gee and Mr Jackson (yes he has been allowed out again, but only under close supervision) took them to Central Park for a powerkite session. Most of them had flown a kite before so today they were introduced to the larger 1.4m Stings,  a four line kite rigged with handles and breaklines allowing for excellent maneuverability.

The strong winds dragged a few of us around, but no-one actually fell in the mud...

D of E Wet Afternoon

Today we had 5 Bronze teams and 1 Silver team out walking in the wet weather that hit Plymouth today. One of the bronze teams got closely followed by an interested horse.

There was also 1 Silver Cycling group out getting very wet and muddy.

Power Kiting on school grounds

Today Mr Jackson went  Power Kiting, tomorrow he will not be allowed.

Marjon Climbing Wall

This week in climbing, we went to the Marjon's Sports Centre. It had good climbing facilities for bouldering top-roping and leading. When we arrived we were given a short tour of the facilities and got straight on with some basic warm-up traversing. After we had warmed we got straight on to the ropes. Alex and I jumped straight into some lead climbing on an overhang (which I regret, as it left me very tired for the rest of the afternoon), while others got used to the wall on a top rope. Later, more people started to lead climb on some harder roots. Towards the end of the session we moved over to the bouldering wall to work on some routes and play some games. A particularly fun one was when we took a very simple route, and every time someone climbed it they had to remove a hold. This led to impossibly hard dynos (dynamic and sudden move, usually a jump.) All in all it was a very fun afternoon, and I hope to return to finish a certain black route.

Eliot Hargadon (Year 11)

Whiteworks Maintenance and Bike Skills

Today Mr Jackson and I spent the majority of the day at Whiteworks, our Outdoor Activity centre in the heart of Dartmoor National Park carrying out some general maintenance and putting together three new bunk beds. With the addition of the new bunks it means we can comfortably accommodate 24 people at the centre with an additional 2 beds for staff. The centre is our moorland base for outdoor activities as well as being available to hire for external users.
We made our way back to Plymouth College for 3.30 so I could deliver an after school outdoor activities club. Todays activity was generic bike skills, this took place on the school astroturf and put the students to the test through a series of activities. The students were tested on their balance skills both stationary and in motion, lifting the front wheel and rear wheels off the ground and various slalom courses.


Mr Brice
Assistant Head of Outdoor Education

Mountain Biking on Dartmoor

Today we offered Mountain Biking to the Boarding Students. Unfortunately due to other commitments only two students could attend, David and Scott. Even with the Low numbers, Mr Brice chose to go ahead as the weather on the moor was beautiful. We started our ride from the college activity centre at Whiteworks and our route took us via Nun's cross, Sheepstor, Burator reservoir and crazywell pool area.
The ride included some moderately technical ups and downs and some sections on the road. Overall the weather made for a fantastic day out and both of the students thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

D.Brice
Assistant Head of Outdoor Education

Bronze D of E Nav Training

This afternoon 5 teams of Bronze D of E students were out practicing their navigation techniques along the coast. We were lucky enough to sea a warship coming in surrounded by a number of helicopters. All the groups and staff had nice time out and about and we will be out again doing different routes next week.

G. Starks (Head of Outdoor Education)