An Exceptional Expedition: Students Achieve Silver Duke of Edinburgh's Award on Norfolk Coast

On Saturday 16th September, students at Hethersett Academy set off on an expedition on the Norfolk Coast to achieve their Duke of Edinburgh's Silver Award.

The students started at approximately 9am on Saturday and underwent a 15km hike to the campsite at the Mike Thurston Water Activity Centre in North Walsham. During the hike, they got to walk past various points of natural beauty and take time to explore the countryside, including a church that was over 1000 years old.

Once they arrived at the site, they pitched their own tents and cooked their evening meal before having free time to relax after a hard day hiking and interact with other groups at the campsite.

The first group set off just before 8am on Sunday with groups hiking around 18km on the Sunday. The students finished their hike at Mundesley on the coast, with the last group finishing just before 4pm.

The majority of the groups had an expedition goal to focus on teamwork which was demonstrated exceptionally by all. A couple of groups wanted to follow a passion for wildlife so had a team goal to explore and photograph the various wildlife in the Norfolk countryside.

There were a variety of challenges faced by the students which were admirably overcome. Some groups overcame minor injuries and showed exceptional teamwork as a group to support the injured members by helping carry their kit to help them complete their expedition. Many groups faced the challenge of getting lost but rather than panicking they took the time to reassess and were able to correct themselves on several occasions.

The staff attending the expedition were blown away by how well-prepared the students were and how they all treated each other with mutual respect. The students embodied the Hethersett ethos throughout the weekend by being kind to all they saw as well as embracing the Duke of Edinburgh's Award opportunity and completing it through hard work.