GOOD NEWS AND FUN EXPEDS. -
Over thrity five young peope are currently working towards their Duke of Edinburgh Award at Newman and it has been decided that a newsletter could help to keep everyone informed of what is happening.
This year we have been able to offer Skills Clubs during the lunch hour in Dance and in Photography. Anyone still looking for a skill should see Mr. Clifton if the idea of taking snaps and developing them appeals to you. A Drama and Film Making Club are also planned for September so watch the notice boards and newsletters for information early next term.
Training for the final expedition is ongoing. The trek through Llanwynno forest is still raw in the minds of some. ‘The Blair Witch Project' had nothing on that. Well done everyone for your stamina and efforts. It gets easier with practice and the developing of map reading technique.
Thanks to Peter and Dave of the Ramblers Association who led the second training walk to Aberdare and onward to Tonypandy. Everyone felt it was a good weekend despite the nats snacking on everyone in sight. As for the camp cooking, pasta will never seem the same again!
The D of E Award Club at school has now purchased a number of compasses, map cases and maps. We are trying to build up a store of equipment which can be loaned out to Newman participants. Any money left over from expeds. is used for this purpose, but we are facing problems (explained in next paragraph).
AND NOW FOR SOME BAD NEWS -
During the last exped. two map cases and one compass were NOT returned. Year 10 - this means your group. Please dig deep and bring them in. They were brand new and we cant afford to lose equipment as quickly as this.
After the first exped. one group returned a tent to RCT without drying it out first. The tent was covered with mildew and had to be thrown out. RCT are now charging the D. of E Award Club at school for this. If you were responsible, you should contribute towards this.
Many people were late returning borrowed equipment to RCT with the result that they have now decided to charge a hire fee for each piece of equipment borrowed from now on. This will have to be paid by those pupils who decide to borrow and any late returns will incur a hefty fine - charged per day!!
SO WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? BARGAIN BUYS
The answer to the hire charges is obviously to buy your own where ever possible. Her are some bargains noted recently.
Aldi
65 litre rucksacks £17.99
Sleeping bags reasonably priced
Poundstretcher
Carry mats £3.99
Tents £29.99
Makro
Rucksacks about £35
Tents £20 - £35
(Prices should be checked - noted from memory)
Let us know of any bargains you see and we'll add them to the list and place on the notice board.
AGREEMENT WITH PONTYPRIDD CARAVANS
Pontypridd Caravans have agreed to give the school 10% discount on purchases. We will pass this saving on to you if you wish to buy your own equipment. Orders accepted for anything from safety whistles to waterproofs. Let us know what you are interested in and we will draw up a price list for those items.
FUTURE TRAINING FOR EXPEDS. AND FINAL ASSESSMENTS
Unfortunately the problems and changes with RCT have put a stop to some of our plans. Four days at Brecon would have been very expensive with hire charges added on.
We therefore plan map reading and compass work training sessions on Thursday and Friday, 13th and 14th July to include lessons at school, walking and map reading in the local area and a ridge way walk from Bridgend area to Llantrisant. The charge for this will be the minimum needed to cover the cost of transport, though you may like to bring money for a pub lunch on Friday. (Obviously no alcohol allowed.) Please remember to fill in a consent form and return it to school.
The final training session and actual exped. assessment will be held in September. Hopefully, everyone will have managed to buy at least some equipment for themselves by then. Anyone with problems - we are still willing to hire but charges will have to be paid.
Mrs. K. Clarke and Miss N. McNamara (June 2000)