GCSE PE students discover Rock Climbing ROCKS!
September 2010
On 24th – 26th September, 23 Year 11 GCSE PE students along with Miss Clohesy, Miss Kennedy and Mrs Jodelka travelled to Wales to complete a GCSE course in Rock Climbing. Very early on Friday morning we met at St Andrew’s for a 6.30am departure to Acorn Adventures in the Brecon Beacons. Our destination was the Royal Oak Activity Centre situated on the shores of Llangorse Lake. The centre had magnificent views across the lake towards the peaks of the Brecon Beacons, which was wonderful setting for the next three days of hard work ahead. Thank goodness the weather was kind to us!
The purpose of the course was not only for students to gain a GSCE sport option, but for the girls to experience high quality education outside the classroom.
When we arrived at the centre, the girls settled into their cabins before meeting our friendly instructors Old Rob, Andy, Simon, Sherlock and Little Rob! The girls were briefed on how the weekend would be packed full of climbing related activities before heading off to spend the rest of the day learning to climb, abseil and complete the scary “Trapeze” (aka Leap of Faith).
The second day starting at 7:30am and the girls spent the morning preparing for the assessment. Each student had to be able to tie her own knots to climb on, belay for each other; and know the names and brands of the enormous range of climbing rigging and personal protective equipment she was using. After lunch, the fun continued with each student gaining confidence in her climbing ability. The girls also had a chance to go on a zip wire which was lots of fun and full of screams! After dinner, we walked to Llangorse Multi Activity Centre which is a large indoor climbing centre with climbs up to 14m high; as well as natural rock faces, bouldering, rope climbs, caving ladders, plus 5,000 square feet of additional climbing areas, basically it was climbing heaven! The girls used this centre to refine their climbing and belaying skills in preparation for morning exams.
The final day was another early start for the tired and sore climbers, but all were in good spirits and felt prepared for their theory exam to test their knowledge in climbing, including conservation of natural climbing environments. There were two more exams to go, one being the practical exam show casing their climbing and belaying skills; the other, a short presentation on a chosen subject relating to climbing such as knot tying or rigging equipment. All students performed extremely well, which made the staff very proud. After a very rushed (and sad) goodbye to our instructors, we headed back to London. However, the very weary bus ride home was made more entertaining by some lovely sing-a-long’s by the year 11’s.
The instructors were extremely impressed with the girls’ work ethic and climbing skills, saying that “they were the best school of the entire season”. I would like to congratulate the girls for outstanding work on the entire weekend.
Not only was it fun for all involved, 23 students now have a new and unique skills which I hope they continue to use!
Miss Clohesy
PE Department
 
Our amazing rock climbers are: Jackie Adu-Sarkodie, Valentina Alija, Danielle Belcher, Sabrina Brown, Eva Cheuk, Mariam El-Ghazzaoui, Jordan Fores, Camille Fraser, Jessica Gillett, Harley Greer, Alice Hawkins, Claudine Jantuah-Bonsu, Athalia John, Nicole John, Olivia Langley, Florence Maxwell, Ramona Oppong Esther Ounounou, Sarah Rose, Ivy Rowe, Bella Spencer, Carmelita Wallace, Rebecca Wesley and Bukola Woodburne-Dyer.
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