UNIT 9 EXPEDITIONS

After Christmas Year 12 students will be following Unit 9 (Outdoor & Adventurous Expeditions). There will be a series of day long expeditions along the London Loop, a load carrying exercise and a two day qualifying expedition to Kent. The dates are below:

London Loop Leg 1: Wed 29 Jan 14
London Loop Leg 2: Wed 26 Feb 14
London Loop Leg 3: Wed 26 Mar 14
Load Carrying Exercise: Wed 14 May 14
2 Day Expedition to East Kent: Wed 04/Thu 05 June 14

More details to follow.....................

UNIT 2 LEADERSHIP EXERCISE

Year 12 students will be organising a visit to the Royal Air Force Museum at Hendon in North London on Wednesday 15th January 2014. More details to follow.

BUILD A BRIDGE CHALLENGE

Year 12 Public Services students took part in a "Build A Bridge" teamwork activity, with mixed results! Some good designs were produced, although production standards were not always up to the requirement to support a 1Kg weight for 60 seconds.

 

Well Done to Kenet's and his team for having the most robust design.

 

 

YEAR 12 NAVEX

Pictures from the Yr 12 Leadsership/Land Navigation NAVEX to Erith are on the G Drive.

ARDEN WEBSITE

There is a new Blogs tab on teh Arden website which lists all the subject blogs, which may be of help with other subjects:

http://www.crownwoods.org.uk/ar_home.aspx

MONDAY 18 / TUESDAY 19 NOV 2013

I will be out of school on Monday and Tuesday with the A Level Geography class. Use the time wisely to complete outstanding assignments for Units 10 and 28. I am looking to start Unit 33 (Volunteering) before Christmas.

Full details of exactly where you are in relation to Units 10 and 28 can be found on the Tracking Sheets in the Units 10 and 28 folders on the G Drive.

Mr Wilson

SILENCE IN THE SQUARE

This year's Silence in the Square event, organised by the Royal British Legion was attended by 16 Public Services Students. Student pictures to follow....

YEAR 12 LEADERSHIP VISIT TO THE IWM

Year 12 Public Services had a succuessful visit to the Imperial War Museum, with a focus on Leadership & Teamwork for Unit 2. They visited the Ashcroft Gallery with its unrivalled collection of gallantry awards and investigated some of the citations displaying examples of leadership and teamwork skills.

 

 



REMEMBRANCE DAY 2013

 

All Year 12 and 13 Public Services students are invited to attend the RBL "Silence in the Square" event on Monday 11th November 2013. This takes place in Trafalgar Square and includes the poignant 2 minute silence at 11 O'Clock. After the silence and the scattering of the petals the plan is to proceed along Whitehall, pausing at The Cenotaph, before going along to the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey. Train tickets have been booked and there will be no charge for the event.

Check the Royal British Legion website link for further details regarding the entertainment.

 

http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/news-events/calendar-of-events/general/silence-in-the-square,-london

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-24856373

 

REMEMBER: This is a HIGH PROFILE event! "Suited and Booted"!

YEAR 13 EXPEDITION TO KENT

In the two days before half term the Year 13 Public Services class successfully completed their qualifying expedition for Unit 10, praticing the skills of land navigation and campcraft. Despite the autumnal weather and rain during the night the expedition was a success and all students returned, if a little exhausted and damp. Harris and James were clearly enjoying themeselves, as the images show!

Year 12: Thursday 24 October and Friday 25 October 2013

Over the 4 periods you need to make sure that the following work is completed and where appropriate printed off:

Unit 2: P1 and P2 complete. Also, complete and print off your PP presentation on the desert survival exercise. Practice your presentation as you will be giving this as a briefing after half term.

Unit 35: P1 and P2 complete and printed off. Also, complete a write up in your own words of Wednesday's NAVEX in Kent. Include details of where we went, the skills you used, an account of the leg you led, etc. Print this off.

Remember to register with Ms Francis

Mr Wilson

UNIT 33: VOLUNTEERING

Year 13: A gentle reminder that we will be undertaking Unit 33 after Christmas, which will require you to undertake a volunteering activity. For those considering assisting with the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal this year, you should organise this NOW!

Mr Wilson

Monday 14th October 2013

Year 12 Pub Svc

GRID REFERENCES

Log onto each of the websites listed below and complete the online exercises!

http://www.echalk.co.uk/Geography/MapReading/gridReferences/gridReferences.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/education/sysm/landscapes/highlands_islands/mapskills/grid/index.shtml

Once you have completed the exercises there is a PP presentation on Grid References (GRID REFERENCES PP). Go through the PP and print it off for your folders. The PP is located in the Resources file in the Unit 35 folder on the G Drive.

Mr Wilson

Work for 07 Oct 13

Year 12: While I am out today I would like you ALL to make sure that the following work is completed and printed off (please do not email it to me on this occasion):
1: P1 (Both sheets - the map symbols and contours sheets)
2: P2 your diagram of the parts of a compass

Yr 13: I have looked on Learning Plus and have seen that you all have gaps from the units you did last year with FTY. You need to make sure that ALL of the missing work is found and printed off. There will not be time at the end of this course to catch up on this! Please pass all work to Ms Divers.
In one or two cases, where you have achieved a "Pass" I would suggest you look at the criteria for "Merits" on the Assignment Briefs and work at upgrading.

Mr Wilson

Wednesday 25 Sep 13

During the lesson (periods 1 & 2) you need to make sure that the following work is completed:

Unit 2: P1 (Describe the 8 styles of Leadership)
Unit 35: P1 (Describe the parts of the Compass)

Hand both pieces of work in THIS WEEK.

MR WILSON'S COVER WORK: MON 16-FRI 20 SEP 13

As you are aware I will be out of school all week on a course. Your work is as follows:

Yr 12: Unit 2 (Wed P1/2 and Fri P1 and P4)

You will need to look at the Assignment Brief on the G-Drive (print it off!) and will be completing P1 "Produce a Power Point Presentation to describe the different styles of leadership". Read the scenario carefully!
If you complete this you can go onto P2, but look acarefully at the Range. You will ADD this work to the first PP.

Yr 12: Unit 35 (Mon P6, Thu P3/4)

You will need to complete the 2 sheets for P1. Both are on the G Drive.
P1 Contours Sheet
Conventional Signs Exercise

Then, there are two worksheets in a yellow folder, to be completed.

Yr 13: Unit 10 You will need to use all the lessons to complete ALL the planning for the two outdoor NAVEX/Expeditions (25 Sep and 01./02 Oct)

THIS TERM'S EVENTS AND VISITS

The Autumn Term will be a busy one for Educational Visits. Please make a note of these visits in your diary/planner:

September
Wednesday 25th: Yr 13 Pre-Expedition (load carrying and skills revision)

October
Wednesday 2nd/Thursday 3rd: Yr 13 Unit 10 Expedition
Wednesday 23rd: Yr 12 NAVEX to Dartford Heath

November
Wednesday 6th: Yr 12 visit to the Imperial War Museum (Date change from 09 Oct 13)
Monday 11th: Yr 12/13 Remembrance Day visit to London
Wednesday 20th: Yr12 NAVEX/Leadership exercise (Erith)

YEAR 13 EXPEDITION FOR UNIT 10

The Year 13 Expedition for Unit 10 (Skills for Land Based Outdoor and Adventurous Activities) will take place on Wednesday 02/Thursday 03 October this year. Letters are to be found on the G Drive. There will be a charge of £10 for this expedition.

There will be a pre-expedition (load carrying and navigation revision exercise) on Wednesday 25 September.

More details on the noticeboard for both!

Mr Wilson

SUMMER HOLIDAY

Mr Wilson and Mr Atmore would like to wish all our Year 12 students a very enjoyable Summer and look forward to seeing everybody again in September. Autumn Term activities will include a camping and navigation exercise to Kent and visits to uniformed service organisations.

 

We also look forward to welcoming the new Year 12 students and wish them all the best with their GCSE results.

MR TOOMEY

Mr Toomey has left the department after 3 years working at Crown Woods College. Mr Toomey's wit and infectious good humour will be remembered by all the students he came in contact with. On behalf of the staff and students past and present we wish him well for his future teaching career.

YEAR 12 EXPEDITION PICTURES

Pictures from the Year 12 Public Services expedition have now been loaded onto the G Drive. Have a look!

UNIFORM TO WORK DAY 26 JUNE 2013

Reservists across the country will wear their Service uniforms to work with pride in celebration of the annual Uniform To Work Day on Wednesday 26th June, in the run up to the fourth Armed Forces Day on Saturday 29th June.

See if you can spot anyone in uniform on your way to/from school (or even in school!)

See the link below:

http://www.armedforcesday.org.uk/news/2012_news_features/reservists_don_their/index.aspx

YEAR 12 PUBLIC SERVICES EXPEDITION

Year 12 completed a successful expedition along the Saxon Shore Way in Kent on Wednesday 19th/Thursday 20th June 2013. The expedition started in Faversham and finished in Herne Bay and included one night's camp at Seasalter near Whitstable.

See the links to student blogs for detailed reviews of the expedition:

http://adamgreenps.edublogs.org/
http://doherty100.edublogs.org/
http://chocolatethunder88.edublogs.org/
http://myexped.edublogs.org/
http://annemarie95.edublogs.org/
http://expiditionsforpublicservices.edublogs.org/

ARMED FORCES DAY 2013

Armed Forces Day will take place on Suturday 29th June, with events up and down the country. Follow the link below to find an event near you!
http://www.armedforcesday.org.uk/

In Greenwich there will be a "Great Get Together Festival" at the Royal Artillery Barracks Field, Repository Road, Woolwich, SE18 4BB. The event is scheduled for 1100-1800, including parachute displays, a parade, armed forces displays, military bands, etc. Above all it is FREE.

For more details go to www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk or see the poster on the Public Services noticeboard.

YEAR 12 EXPEDITION

Updated 17 Jun 13
The Year 12 expedition is this week!

That said, there is still some planning/preparation and follow up work to do:

Monday 17th June: Rucksack packing and what to take/what not to take/checking the weather forecast/practice putting up tents (if you have not already done it).
Tuesday 18th June: Practice cooking/checking the weather/issue of stores and equipment.
Wednesday 19th June: Expedition Day 1 (Faversham to Whitstable). Camping out Wednesday night.
Thursday 20th June: Expedition Day 2 (Whitstable to Reculver). Return to college by 1400.
Friday 21st June: De-kit/tent drying and packing/return of issed stores and equipment.

Monday 24th June and all week: Post expedition report/update expedition blogs.

The focus for the expedition will be the defence of the UK through the ages and this will form the underlying theme for your projects. You will see evidence of 2000 years of defence, where Kent and especially the Kent coast has been in the front line. Remember to take a camera!

A few websites to have a look at as part of your preparation:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paJXzC_jvVM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwvAIPyPlgA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i28Pbj0vWRo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeTaC6Muij0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bS4GKWPnbQg

 

Keep in touch with the weather for the area:

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2634021

YEAR 12 LOAD CARRYING EXERCISE

Well done to all who those who took part in the Load Carrying exercise along the Green Chain Walk to The Thames Barrier on Wednesday 22nd May. It was generally agreed that it was a good warm up for the main two day expedition along the Saxon Shore Way in June. Planning for June must now begin!!

YEAR 12 VISIT TO FRANCE & BELGIUM

There will be a Year 12 residential visit to France and Belgium in the first week of July this year, which will include a tour of the battlefields of World War One in the Ypres area of Belgium. There will be an opportunity for Yr 12 Public Services students to become involved directly with this part of the visit.

Dates: Monday 1st/Tuesday 2nd July, with an overnight stop in France.
Cost: The more who go the cheaper it will be, but probably around £100
Travel: By coach and Eurotunnel.
Enjoyment Factor: High!

Signing up sheets will be available soon.

In the meantime have a look at the links below:

http://www.lastpost.be/
http://www.ww1battlefields.co.uk/flanders.html

See if you can spot Mr Wilson at one of the cemeteries in Flanders

UNIT 10 LAND NAVIGATION AND CAMPCRAFT SKILLS EXPEDITION

 Yr 13 Qualifying Expedition 01/02 May 2013 to the Canterbury/Whitstable area of Kent

 Timeline of activities:

1. Review of the expedition plan, including re-working

    Some useful websites and materials for understanding core skills of navigation and campcraft:

           Navigation

           https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZFDVcgHh-0

           https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbZNu-BPWbo

           http://www.backcountryattitude.com/navigation_map_compass.html

           http://www.magazine.ordnancesurveyleisure.co.uk/magazine/tscontent/editorials/outdoor-skills/map-and-navigation-skills/using-a-compass.html

           Campcraft Skills

           https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5xwKr2Sri8

           http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/facts/pdfs/fs315071.pdf

           http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outdoor_cooking

           http://www.mcofs.org.uk/assets/pdfs/wildcamping.pdf

2. Expedition report

    Use the report format on the G Drive in the Unit 10 folder.

    Remember to include images and your blog URL address.

3. Update blogs

4. Show blogs!

5. Extension work: Indivdual tasks. Refer to Tracking Sheet and Assignment Brief. Materials and templates are on the G Drive.

YEAR 12 EXPEDITION

The Year 12 expedition dates are confirmed for Wednesday 19th/Thursday 20th June 2013. The expedition will follow the Saxon Shore Way from Faversham to Reculver in Kent, with an overnight stop at Whitstable.

The theme for the expedition will be "The defence of the UK through the ages" and the route will include direct evidence of defence going back to Roman times. The expedition will be written up for assessment and student blogs updated.

Full details, including the consent letter are to be found in the Unit 9 folder on the G Drive in a file named "Saxon Shore Way Expedition".

EXPEDITION PLANNING

Planning the second of the 1 day expeditions: Leg 2 of the London Loop, scheduled for Wed 08 May 13.

1. You will need to carry out the planning for the second 1 day expedition, which will qualify you for P4 (once you have done the expedition!). Use all the same planning documentation that you used for planning the first expedition. All documentation can be found in an "Expedition Planing" folder in the Unit 9 file on the G Drive.

2. Make sure that your P5 and P6 reviews and action plans from the first expedition are completed and handed in.

3. Start the independent planning for 1 day and multi-day expeditions, which will give you access to Merit grades.

Useful website:   http://www.walklondon.org.uk/route.asp?R=5

TWO DAY EXPEDITION

The two day expedition for Unit 9 will take place on Wed 19th/Thursday 20th June and will follow the Saxon Shore Way from Faversham to Reculver. More details later.

UNIT 10 EXPEDITION

The Unit 10 camping and navigation expedition will take place on Wednesday 1st/Thursday 2nd May 2013 in the Canterbury/Whitstable area of North East Kent. The expedition will involve 2 days of trekking, following a pre-planned route from the Canterbury area to Whitstable, where there will be an overnight camp. The second day will involve a different route to a pick up point and return to college. Students will be expected to update their expedition blogs after the expedition.

The aim of the expedition is to support learning in Unit 10 and to practice the skills and advanced skills required to achieve the highest possible grades in this unit. The campsite that has been selected is the same campsite used for the Year 12 expedition.

Letters for the expedition are available on the G Drive.

As more details become available there will be added to this post.



FRIDAY 22 MARCH 2013 YEAR 13

Today's lesson is about Risk Assessment and the Safe System of Training.

 

You will find today's PP on the G Drive in the Unit 10 folder in Public Services, titled "Lesson 3". Go through the PP and then start the activity, which is Task 2 (P2) in the Assignment Brief, namely to produe 2 Risk Assessments, for 2 of the 4 activities you described for P1. Blank copies of the Risk Assessment form are also in the Unit 10 folder on the G Drive.

 

Remember, you have all produced Risk Assessments before and the same rules apply. Read the Assignment Brief, to make sure that you do not miss anything out.

Mr Wilson

Level 3 Decision Making Exercise: Planning a multi day expedition to Snowdonia

Your task is to carry out and complete a Decision Making Exercise (DME) for the planning of a multi-day expedition to Snowdonia in North Wales. You will be required to work in small groups (ideally of 2 or 3) to carry out a series of research tasks and problem solving exercises and then present your plan to the class.

LO: To be able to plan an expedition in support of the core understanding of issues related to land-based outdoor and adventurous activities.




Starter Exercise:

Watch the video and note down the key points
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDkE4DpsWyo

Decision Making Exercise:The DME and associated materials can be found in the Public Services folder on the G Drive under "DME Expedition Planning". Materials include templates and suitable images. You can access useful websites through this blog post.

Activities/Timings:

1. Brainstorm the key planning requirements for an outdoor expedition (5-10 mins)
2. Open the DME on the G Drive
3. Work through the DME as a group (you will need to allocate specific tasks to individuals as there is too much for one person to do) (50 mins)
4. Once you have completed the DME you will need to prepare a group PP presentation on your plan, ready to give to the rest of the class (50 mins)
5. Present to the class (30 mins)
6. Class feedback/plenary (10 mins)

Follow up work:

1. Individually you will need to carry out a review of the planning exercise

Useful websites:

Selecting a campsite: http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/facts/pdfs/fs315071.pdf
Cooking: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outdoor_cooking
Travel to/from expedition area: http://www.theaa.com/route-planner/index.jsp
Mountain weather: http://www.mwis.org.uk/sd.php
Wild camping: http://www.mcofs.org.uk/assets/pdfs/wildcamping.pdf
Climbing: http://www.snowdonia-active.com/pdf/rock-climbing-(snowdonia-active-guide).pdf
Risk Assessment: http://www.aacuk.org.uk/Risk_and_Safety.aspx
Walking up Mt Snowdon: http://www.mountainwalk.co.uk/walkingsnowdon.html
Attractions in Snowdonia: http://www.star-attractions.co.uk/

Royal Air Force Museum Visit

Year 12 Level 3 students visited the Royal Air Force Museum at Hendon in North London. The visit was researched, planned and delivered by students to support Unit 2 (Leadership and Teamwork in the Public Services). James Morris showed the value of his membership of the Air Training Corps with an astonishing knowledge of aircraft old and new!

Year 12 students and Mr Wilson outside the RAF Museum. James Morris is far right.

MR WILSON'S LESSONS

I will be out of school for the week Monday 11th Feb to Friday 15th Feb 2013. Please look at the Arden Absence blog http://www.ardenabsence.blogspot.co.uk/ for details of work.

Mr Wilson

VISIT TO DOWGATE FIRE STATION

Mr Atmore is organising a visit to Dowgate Fire Station in the City of London on Wednesday 13th March, for Year 12 Level 3 students. More information and letters can be obtained from Mr Atmore.

VISIT TO EUROPE HOUSE

Year 12 and 13 Level 3 students visited Europe House (the European Parliament building in London) on Thursday 31st January for a highly informative and enjoyable workshop run by the European Parliament. All the students who attended had the opportunity to gain a greater insight into European institutions and to take part in a simulated European Parliament debate and vote. A big thank you to Mr Toomey for organising the visit, which we hope to repeat in 2014.

EXERCISE WINTER AID

LO: To complete EXERCISE WINTER AID and brief the rest of the class on the solution.

Timeline:

Tuesday 22 Jan P3/4: Read the problem, prepare your plan, produce your briefing
Wednesday 23 Jan P6/7: Present your plan to the class

What are you going to do to save the refugees?

Spring Term 2013

Welcome back after the Christmas break.

The following visits have been organised for the first half of the Spring Term. Make sure that you record them in your diary planner:

Wednesday 30 Jan 13: Yr 12 Level 3 visit to the Royal Air Force Museum at Hendon
Thursday 31 Jan 13: Yrs 12 and 13 Level 3 visit to Europe House
Friday 08 Feb 13: Yr 12 Level 3 visit to the Houses of Parliament
Friday 15th Feb 13: Yr 13 Level 3 visit to Bromley Magistrates Court

Remember that Half Term is Monday 18th -Friday 22nd February and then there are just 4 weeks and 4 days until Easter (End of term Thursday 28th March 13)

Mr Wilson