Duke of Edinburgh International Award 2018 01-17

The Duke of Edinburgh International Award - Practice Expedition

On Thursday 11th January, 40 students from BIS Abu Dhabi and 5 teachers (Mr Wales, Mrs Stewart, Miss Carey, Miss Doyle and Mr Stewart) made their way to Fossil Rock in Sharjah. The aim - to survive in the desert for the duration of the trip as well as camping and preparing their own food..... oh and for some a 36km trek!!. All students set off on day 1 positive and enthusiastic about the journey ahead. They finished the grueling 12km hike around 4pm and made it to camp to set up tents and cook dinner for the night.

Day 2 began early as students left camp at 8am having packed up tents and made breakfast. The students taking part in the bronze practice finished around 1pm having completed another tough 12km trek and made their way back to school content that they had faced all the desert had to offer.

For the students taking part in the Silver practice however, the job was not complete. This group of 14 students faced another night in the desert and one final trek the following morning. The group departed from the campsite at 7:30am with a spring in their step knowing that this was the final leg of a total trekking journey of 36km throughout the 3 days. On this final stage, students were spoiled by the stunning scenery as they walked through sand dune after sand dune. This group showed amazing resilience as they crossed the finish line at 1pm on the final day with copious numbers of blisters, sore backs and tired bodies. All worth it in the end!

Both groups will now complete the assessment in March and we wish them the best of luck.

Miss Carey