WORLD CHALLENGE AND OUTDOOR/ADVENTUROUS ACTIVITIES
KEGS is of course justly known as an academically outstanding school, but we like to think that we offer much more. There is a focus on the physical well-being, team-work & self-reliance. To this end, we have a progressive, co-ordinated programme of activities which develop team & individual skills in the outdoor, adventurous context.
Picture shows:Phirtse La Pass
At Key Stage 3 in Year 7 we begin with a one-day course at a local outdoor pursuits centre, and end in Year 9 with a four day/three night residential trip involving challenges on land and water.
At Key Stage 4 this strand is further developed with the opportunity to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh scheme. The scheme is continued into the sixth form with access to the Gold Award.
Picture: Suspension Bridge Palamo Valley
The pinnacle of this strand of education in the Sixth Form is our participation in World Challenge Expeditions. Here teams of students undertake an eighteen month build-up to raise money for, and participate in a month-long expedition in a remote, wild destination. The expedition involves:
• acclimatisation for and participation in a remote trek
• community work with a school or village
• sight-seeing
• rest & recreation
In summer 2006 we successfully sent 70 students in five teams to India & the Himalayas. A typical trek here involved fifteen days walking & camping at altitudes of over 4000 metres. Sight-seeing took the teams from Jaipur and Pushkar in Rajasthan to the Taj Mahal in Agra.
Picture shows: Taj Mahal
In summer 2008 we completed successful expeditions to China, Vietnam and Kyrgyzstan. Previous destinations have included Peru, Bolivia and Tanzania. Future plans involve expeditions to rural Africa in summer 2010.
Preparation requires commitment resilience and perseverance, but the final expedition is for almost all a life changing experience.
