Summer Newsletter 2022

519 SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2022 A PERFECT WORLD This term, students were getting creative in their English lessons by wondering what a perfect world would be like. We’v e received hundreds of postcards, all asking us to ‘imagine if…’ and the ideas have been incredible! Th e whole school has been encouraged to think about the future of the world and community they live in, and how they can improve it for themselves as they grow into adults. Suggestions have ranged from imagining if there was world peace to imagining if we could solve climate change – and we can’t wait to see what our young people will go on to achieve to make the world a better place! DUKE OF EDINBURGH DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD 2022 This year Mr Fairclough and Mr Pritchard have been able to offer the Duke of Edinburgh’s bronze award to Year 10, 11 and Sixth Form students. As part of the award, participants have to complete four sections comprising of a skill, a physical activity, volunteering and a camping and hiking expedition. Fo r the hiking and camping expedition, our students have had the opportunity to attend some training sessions to get them prepared for the outdoor activities, including receiving training on navigation and map reading, the Countryside Code, emergencies and first aid, as well as learning about what equipment is needed when hiking and camping. During the expedition, taking place in the final week of the school year, students are expected to hike for 6 hour per day, carrying their own tents, sleeping bags and food, so another part of the students training was to take part in a practice day walk, which took place on the weekend of 2nd and 3rd July. Thi s practice walk started at Rivington Barn and followed a route around Anglezarke and Yarrow reservoirs, and provided our students with an opportunity to practise their map reading and navigation skills in their groups and to experience hiking in the countryside, under the supervision of our staff. Th e weather turned out to be very good for both days, and all students had a great time and learnt a lot from the experience. At the time of writing, our students are getting themselves prepared for their qualifying expedition, where they will be expected to navigate a route around Beacon Fell by themselves, and then demonstrate self-sufficiency in pitching their own tents and cooking on camping stoves in order to pass this part of the award. Pictures from the walks and camping expedition can be found on our Twitter page @thornleigh_DofE. Can we take this opportunity to thank all of the staff that have supported our students in completing the practice walks and camping expedition.