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In a year of postponements, cancellations and adaptations, Year 10 Sports Afternoon was a rare opportunity to bring at least part of The Dorcan Academy together to celebrate students epitomising the Dorcan values.

Badminton, Football, Rounders and Netball were first on the menu and it was clear from the outset that the Year 10s were loving having the opportunity to get competitive and enjoy an afternoon of sport with the rest of their Year.

After an hour of drop shots, half volleys, no-balls and bounce passes, it was over to the field for some alternative athletics events. Anyone that dared to venture onto the field would have been welcomed by sack races, eggs and spoons, hoops and flying wellies as Eagles, Falcons, Ospreys and Kingfishers tried to run, jump and throw their way to glory.

Kingfisher went into the final event in the lead, but the Tug-of-War can be full of surprises. The Eagle tutor groups showed the teamwork and resilience to overcome their challengers, but even being undefeated in every pull was not enough for 10EY1 to stop the mighty 10EYA becoming overall champions in the inaugural Year 10 Sports Afternoon. Their togetherness, commitment and leadership, not to mention their skill, power and intelligence took them to the title of Year 10 Sports Day Champions!

An incredible afternoon enjoyed by all, where students were kind, showed respect and absolutely tried their best. Congratulations to 10EYA on their victory, but the real winner, on the day, was competitive sport!

Throughout this challenging year the Bronze, Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh students have demonstrated excellent dedication and commitment to the award. Each student has given up their own time to complete the three sections of the award– volunteering, physical and skills. They have each made a valuable contribution to the local community, broadened their own experiences, and learnt new skills. Here are just a few examples of the fantastic work which has been completed- litter picking in the local area, becoming a pen pal for terminally ill children, helping younger siblings with home learning, learning a new language including sign language, improving personal fitness by completing the couch to 5k app, creating recipe books and learning bike maintenance.

The bronze students were able to complete both their practise and qualifying expedition this year, albeit without the camping element. They were very unfortunate with the weather but showed fantastic team spirit and perseverance to keep going throughout the torrential rain! Our Silver students were able to camp on their expedition and recreated some year 7 camp memories as they completed their practice expedition from Cranham! Their qualifying expedition has unfortunately had to be postponed until the beginning of September. These teams have been particularly well organised and showed great navigational skills throughout their practise expedition. We wish our gold students all the best for their upcoming 5-day expedition!

We hope to see the DofE award continue to thrive with new students taking on the challenge.

There was a real buzz of excitement as Year 7 prepared to leave Swindon to head out for the annual Year 7 camping trip to Cranham – a trip that we never thought possible! Here we were with the students on the coaches, all packed up and ready to go for a fun filled outdoor adventure! We split the trip as we always do with half of year 7s attending Monday to Wednesday, and the other half Wednesday to Friday.

A great time was had despite the pouring rain at the start of the week. This year’s camp was another huge success with the students and staff alike having a fantastic time – lots of adventures and outdoor fun! The walk to Prinknash Abbey on the first afternoon, was followed by the wonderful ice creams that greeted the students – a well-received midway break and energy boost for the second half of the walk. Students cooked their own food on the first evening and served up some wonderful culinary delights, although the washing up was not quite so well received! An introduction to camp song favourites like ‘Great Big Moose’ and ‘Singing in the Rain’ proved very apt, before a final hot chocolate and very excitable campers had to settle down and sleep. There was lots of chatter, torch light and snacks from home before an early start on day two. Students cooked their own breakfast after cereal and cups of tea, fuelling up before an action-packed day ahead.

The second day saw the students take part in a carousel of events with hardly a minute’s breath: problem solving with the pipes and plates, manhunt in the woods, orienteering on the common taking in the beautiful views and, of course, everyone’s favourite activity, The Vaccine assault course, with dams and legendary ’Mars Bar Challenge’. After a full-on day two it was barbeque time cooked by the staff, beautifully organised by Mrs Barton, Mr Shorey and Mr Haynes, prior to an evening of brilliant camp entertainment led by Mrs Barton and her trustee helpers. Singing at the tops of our voices, group songs, the Mars Bar awards, and Chubby Bunnies were a highlight and caused a great deal of laughter as always.

The camp was enriched by the attendance of Year 10 work experience students who played their part in making it a memorable and well organised event. Without a dedicated team of staff who are willing to commit unselfishly to a full-on week of activity it could not run. It is a really challenging few days for all concerned and I would like to say a personal thank you to all the staff, who worked tirelessly all week to give the students an amazing opportunity, made possible because of their enthusiasm, energy, patience, and dedication. The Year 7s fully embraced camp and will have taken many lifelong skills and some very happy memories home with them. A huge well done to everyone. You are now part of the Year 7 Dorcan camping legends!

Wendy Craig (Head of PE)