Outward Bound in Wales

Morpeth has had links with Outward Bound for some years and the program has developed by Vanessa Best Deputy head of music, she has developed it into an important part of school life, pupils aspire to be chosen to go. Around 100 pupils a year are carefully selected to take part, pupils of all abilities and from all year groups.

It is a life changing week during which the young people will develop confidence and team skills through physical and mental challenges. From team games to rock climbing, canoing and an overnight expedition into the Welsh mountains.

It is a prestigious course, which offers a certificate, recognised worldwide by many employers and can help towards a University/College place.

“We are all better than we know, once we come to realise this we will never again settle for anything less…“ Kurt Hahn.

Kurt Hahn was a co-founder of Outward Bound movement. Born in Germany in 1886 and died in 1974. He believed in promoting personal growth in young people through outdoor education, strengthening the body and the mind. Developing resilience, social and environmental awareness though group activities, problem solving and physical challenge.

“I had to walk for 3 hours in the rain... but you know what, I am wearing the right clothes for this, we are all sticking together and having fun. By the time we get to cabins we will all look forward to getting the fire on and cooking some food. What an adventure!“

The week is successfully linked with the school learning program and staff use ‘The 5Rs‘ and team skills to ensure effective continuity through school and into the outdoors. Outward Bound is a great place to think about the 5Rs.

Resilience, Reasoning, Resourcefulness, Reflection, Responsibility

One Year 9 pupil‘s account:

The overnight expedition

“When I first arrived at the outward bound centre I thought all the activities would be easy, I was ready to do anything. I never thought it would be so challenging and one activity would be at night.

As the days went by I got more and more nervous about the overnight expedition but I was also excited, because I had never done anything like that before.

Wednesday morning arrived and I was so nervous I hoped they would forget about me and I wouldn‘t have to go. As we packed the night before my rucksack was so heavy and I thought, this is worse than ‘boot camp‘! I wanted to die or go home but neither of those things happened, oh! well never mind.

I would like to thank my team because they encouraged me even though I thought I didn‘t have a chance.

I am also very proud of Fudge because that night she had her first sleep in the dark.

I now have more confidence in doing stuff like that, I never thought I could do it and it really was a chance of a life time. This experience is going to be in my memory forever.

The sight of the mountains was absolutely beautiful, I never dreamed it would be so beautiful. The bits that were the most beautiful were, the moon, the waterfalls, the stars, the ice on top of the mountains and the fog. There were a lot of other beautiful things, so beautiful that I can’t even explain.

There was also lots of fun like Francesca and I walking slowly, holding hands, dragging each other up the mountain and falling over everywhere.“

Written by Maya Khurchid - (Johnson team)

For more information see the Outward Bound website

The Duke of Edinburgh Award at Morpeth and Cambridge Heath Sixth Form

We are pleased to announce that we launched The Duke of Edinburgh Award at Morpeth. Our first group of 15 Year10‘s are soon to complete their Bronze Award. The DofE has 3 levels, Bronze, Silver and Gold and we are currently recruiting Year 9 pupils for next year. It is an amazing opportunity to take their Outward Bound experiences and develop them further, gaining fantastic experiences and qualifications that they can complete in sixth form and then even University as you have until your 25 to finish. When you achieve your Gold award you are formally presented with it at Buckingham Palace.

The DofE includes 4 elements, SKILLS, PHYSICAL, VOLUNTEER and EXPEDITION. This helps the young people focus on learning a new skill, contributing to the community, staying physically active and taking part in an overnight camping trip where they navigate and also cook for themselves.

It‘s a great way to meet people and show universities and employers that you are a creative thinker, an excellent team worker, resilient, resourceful and an independent learner.

Ms Best launched the DofE Sept.‘08 and Ms Wood joined the team using her skills as a geography teacher to train the learners in navigation and fully prepare them for their expedition.

As the Cambridge Heath Sixth Form brings together 3 schools the team will grow as we make the DofE an integral part of 6th form life.