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Duke of Edinburgh Award
Pupils at Hazlehead Academy have always done well in the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme.
This page will have information on the scheme with details of expeditions
for parents and pupils.
BRONZE PRACTICE
AUTUMN
2009
Hazlehead Academy has one of the strongest
Duke of Edinburgh's Award programmes of any school in Aberdeen. A new
batch of pupils attempting their Bronze award have recently been
undertaking some outdoor experiences on local mountains.
The pictures below show how they got on -
click on the images for a larger view. Hazlehead Academy offer Duke of
Edinburgh Awards at Bronze, Silver and Gold level.
BRONZE PRACTICE MAY
2009
Three of our seven S3 bronze groups successfully completed their Bronze
Duke of Edinburgh's Award practice expedition last weekend. It wasn’t
looking hopeful for dry weather when the forecast warned of three weeks
of rain fall in 36 hours! As Aberdeen suffered torrential downpours,
however, it was only a bit soggy in Braemar with mist, drizzle and the
occasional heavy shower. As the groups set off on Saturday morning from
the Linn of Dee and the Linn of Quoich, spirits were high. Under the
close supervision of Miss Hay some of the boys had an eventful Saturday
afternoon searching for safe river crossings. With squelchy feet all
round the group did very well, heading up into the mist and passing over
from Mar Lodge Estate into Invercauld Estate where they eventually
found Miss Smith and Mr Thomson hidden away in a crater with the other
groups. Although a bit windy and rainy the midges kept away, and groups
enjoyed an evening of cooking, hot chocolate…and a 2kg carton of custard
that had been carried through the hills of Deeside all day!
With the girls enjoying bacon for their Sunday breakfast and some of
the boys tucking into beans and sausages the groups were just about set
for another day of navigating their way through the hills. With the
tents down, and trangia stoves scrubbed, the sun decided to try and come
out. Waterproofs were soon abandoned as the groups put their map skills
to test, setting off for a day on their own through the Balmoral
Estate. Despite the blisters and an attempt to hitch a lift on the back
of Miss Smith’s or Miss Hay’s bike, everybody did very well to keep to
their route cards and navigate their way to the Lochnagar distillery. A
very successful and enjoyable practice expedition was had by both pupils
and staff. The groups are now prepared for, and ready to plan, their
final expedition which will take place in August. (Click on the
pictures below for a larger view)
SILVER PRACTICE MAY
2008
Two groups of our new S5
pupils successfully completed their Silver Duke of Edinburgh's Award
practice expedition last weekend when they walked for three days between
Glen Feshie and the Linn of Dee. Thanks to Mr Mair and a trailer from
Aberdeen Mountain Rescue Team the logistical challenges were met
and after a very wet start, the teams were then fortunate to have warm
and sunny weather for their venture; doubly so as there was an
accompanying breeze to keep the midges at bay! This meant there was
plenty of opportunity to explore the environment through which they were
walking and the pupils found wildlife in abundance; this ranged from
beetles and birds to lizards and adders. All good practice for the
groups' assessment when they have chosen to produce a project on "Local
Flora and Fauna". Camping, cooking and route finding skills were put to
the test with Mr Webster and Miss Smith supervising at a distance. The
pupils enjoyed a varied and at times exciting route through remote and
spectacular scenery and are now well prepared for their Assessment
ventures which will take place after the summer holidays.
Duke of Silver Weekend - September 2007
Following a night in Aviemore Youth hostel, a group of six Senior pupils
set out to complete an arduous three day expedition as part of their
Silver D of E Award. Beginning in Glen Feshie on Saturday 15th September
the group battled rain, midges and swollen streams in their quest to
study flora and fauna in the Cairngorms. Carrying all their equipment
and food for their venture they finished through driving sleet the
following Monday at the Linn of Dee.
Duke of Silver Weekend - June 2007
A mixed group
of S5 and S6 pupils set out on Saturday 30th June to undertake their
Silver DofE practice expedition. Starting at Victoria Bridge, just
outside Braemar, they walked into Derry Lodge, where they camped for the
next two nights. Unfortunately the rain came on mid Saturday afternoon
and the group's waterproofs got a good workout. As if that weren't
enough they also had to endure hordes of hungry midges determined to
make a meal of them.
Sunday saw the group
make a successful visit into the heart of the Cairngorms when they
walked into the famous corrour bothy, negotiating the equally infamous
man eating bogs. here they heard tell of fearless Mor (the Big Grey Man
of Ben Macdui) and of Clach nan Taillear. The name comes from an old
story concerning three tailors who died sheltering from a storm. They
had drunkenly boasted that on a single winter's day they could dance in
Abernethy, Rothiemurches and Mar but their attempt was terminated by bad
weather. Our intrepid crew made it back to their tents in one piece,
however.
Monday had the group
rising early for the last leg of their expedition, venturing into the
Clais Fhearnaig and into the ancient pinewoods of the Quoich. Nachos
were cooked beneath a tree and the group finally got back to the minibus
bedraggled but successful.
Duke of Edinburgh Award Training
Weekends
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Bronze group have had 2 successful
weekends away recently. The first weekend was a Training weekend where
they stayed in an outdoor centre in Monymusk and practiced pitching
tents, cooking, navigation and all sorts of other things. The second
weekend was camping in Glen Tanar near Aboyne and all of the 28 third
year pupils had a great time. They really impressed the instructors
from AdventureWorks with their skills and enthusiasm. The group is now
looking forward to their Assessment weekend in June which they have
decided will be near Braemar.
Pupils interested in the scheme should download the information below:
Information on
the scheme
The above files require a PDF file reader - you can download the one
below if required.
Pupils go for Gold
A group of four S6 pupils have recently undertaken their expedition for
the Gold Award of the Duke of Edinburgh Award. Spending four days in the
Glenshee area, they were accompanied by Mr Murray (acting Rector) plus a
number of other staff including Nikki Lebedis from AMEC and Guidance
Teacher Mr MacBean (currently on secondment).
Pupils take part in an expedition to Glen Clova
A group of S5/6
students successfully completed their Duke of Edinburgh Silver
assessment exploration on 23/24/25 June. This is the first time that we
have undertaken an exploration. This differs from an expedition in that
rather than move on each day along a planned route participants base
themselves in one location and follow a different planned route on each
day with a different theme to be researched each day (3 days at silver).
eg weather, flora and fauna etc. Based in Glen Clova,Angus, Day one took
the group to the north-east side of Glen Clova up to Loch Wharral, Green
Hill and Loch Brandy. Day two took the group to the head of Glen Clova,
across to Jock's Road by way of Loch Esk and then down Glen Doll to Glen
Clova. Day three took the group into spectacular Corrie Fee and upwards
to the summit of Mayar (the girls' first ever Munro) returning to Glen
Clova by the Kilbo path. The photographs shown below were taken
by John McBean, the Guidance teacher of Craigievar House who is
currently on secondment. The students were also accompanied by Alan
Murray, Acting Rector. Click on the pictures for a larger view.
Bronze
Duke of Edinburgh Expedition -
Glen Tanar
A Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Assessment has taken place at the Glen
Tanar estate. Mr Macbean has provided a few photographs from the event
below.
Silver Duke of Edinburgh Expedition - Braemar to Blair Atholl
A Duke of Edinburgh practice silver expedition took place this weekend
from Braemar to Blair Atholl - a distance of 30 miles. The seven
pupils taking part walked from Saturday morning and ended up at Blair
Atholl on Monday lunchtime, having spent two nights under canvas. The
weather was kind to the group though the midges were out in force on
the Monday morning.
The pupils showed exceptional teamwork throughout and were always keen
to help one another. A tired but happy group were picked up on Monday
lunchtime. Some of the quotes from the group are shown below with a
few souvenir pictures.
New songs were made up including 'Midge Hell'
You find yourself telling things that
you'd never thought you'd say to anyone!
The expedition is the ideal way to
lose all your dignity.
Kelsey "I've lost my hat - oh, its on my head"
We are expert river crossers now - we
just let Joanne go first and then do the opposite. This must be right cos she fell in!
Everyone except Joanna and Mr Murray fell over, even Mr MacBean fell!!
Here are the words for 'Midge Hell', made
up by Joanna and Fiona in a moment of bitten insanity. Sing to the
tune of Love is all Around which will be playing in the background
(turn up your speakers)
"I feel them on my Fingers
I feel them bite my toes
They swarm all around me
and so the flock of them grows
They drink my blood
and steal my faith
Words can't describe my revulsion and hate
There's no excuse
for their heinous crime
But one day, believe me, revenge will be mine!"
You can see photographs of the pupils by clicking on the pictures
below.
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The group begin the expedition
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Joanna displays her skills at navigating rivers
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Thoughtful contemplation may bring an asnwer about how to put up the tent
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Corect poles, correct flysheet, correct outer - just not all from the same tent!
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One of the magnificent views during the trek
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Mr Murray leads by example - sitting down again
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Mr Macbean feels on top of the world
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That bridge looks a bit iffy
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