News

Adventure School update

4 October 2018

Thanks to our new tent stove (bought with funds from DofE Central), we have a warm and less smokey environment  – with an extended covered area – that will help us keep working outdoors during the colder months.

Already enjoying the benefits

A lunchtime visit from students from our junior site resulted in smiles all round: archery, some moving of bark chippings, relaxing in the hammocks and bellies full of hot dogs all helped create a very enjoyable lunchtime for all. Speaking of dogs, Gryff played his part too.

 

 

Bronze DofE (final expedition)

13 September 2018

With the rescheduled second group of Duke of Edinburgh final less that a week away we would like to wish all the students good luck in completing this monumental task and that we hope the weather stays great for you, and as a reminder that this will take place on 18th & 19th September.

For the parents and carers of the young people please find below copies of all the letters that have been sent home with the young people. If you have any queries please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Mr Tuckwood or Mr Meek.

DofE Bronze Final Itinerary

All timings are subject to change throughout the day dependant on how well group are doing and other external factors.

Tuesday 18th September 2018

09:00 Arrive at school

09:15 Leave School in Minibus

10:15 Arrive at Carpark at Mining Low (Derbyshire)

10:30 Begin Expedition

AT & SB to walk with Group, TM to meet at checkpoint throughout the day

17:00 Arrive at campsite                  (Rivendale Campsite)

  • Set up tents
  • Cook food
  • Debrief on Day
  • Relax & Sleep (Pupils may contact parents if they wish too)

Wednesday 19th September 2018

07:30 Wakeup call

  • Cook Breakfast
  • Pack rucksacks
  • Drop and pack away tents
  • Brief for the day

09:00 Leave Campsite

AT & SB to walk with Group, (If the group have performed well on the Tuesday then AT & SB will drop back and supervision will become close rather than Direct.) TM to meet at checkpoint throughout the day (If the group performs well whilst in close supervision they will complete the last section of the Tissington trail with remote supervision.

16:00 Arrive at finish point (Tissington Trail Carpark)

16:15 Set off for school – Pupils to contact parents once on way home to let them know ETA

17:15 Arrive back at school (Time subject to change)

EXPEDITION KIT LIST

Clothing

  • 1 pair of walking boots (broken in)
  • 2 pairs of walking socks
  • 1 to wear 1 as a spare
  • 2 t-shirts
  • 1 to wear 1 as spare
  • Thermal t-shirt (optional)
  • 1 fleece tops or jumper
  • 2 walking trousers (warm, NOT jeans)
  • 1 to wear 1 as spare
  • Underwear
  • 1 change of
  • Nightwear
  • Flipflops/trainers/sandals etc (optional for camp site use)
  • Warm hat &/or sunhat (as appropriate)
  • 1 pair gloves (if appropriate)
  • 1 pair shorts (if appropriate)
  • Waterproof over-trousers
  • Jacket/coat (waterproof & windproof)

Personal kit

  • Rucksack liner (or 2 strong plastic bags)
  • Sleeping bag (School can provide)
  • Torch (handheld or head torch and spare batteries)
  • Personal first aid kit
  • Expedition food
    • Lunch time meals for both days and and any snacks wanted for the day time and evening
  • Water bottle
    • At least 2 litres of water (several small bottles okay)
  • Knife, fork, spoon
  • Plate/bowl
  • Mug
  • Wash kit/personal hygiene items (some items could be shared as a group)
  • Sunblock (if appropriate)
  • Towel

 

 

 

Flu Vaccinations 2018

10 September 2018

Flu vaccinations are on Tuesday 9th October  

Children included in the programme are Reception through to year 13.

Consent Forms

Consent forms will be bought in to school early September 2018 and should be returned to school by parents 21st September 2018  for the team to collect week commencing 24th September 2018.

Further information about the flu vaccination programme:

www.nottinghamshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/immunisation-team and

www.nhs.uk/child-flu

Children will not be able to receive this vaccination at the GP unless they have an identified health problem. We will be holding clinics throughout the season for those children who have consented and were absent on the day.

Each child vaccinated will  receive a record card on the day of the vaccination to take home.

Adventure School – ready for a new academic year

3 September 2018

DIY Adventure School improvements

In preparation for the autumn and winter (hard to imagine during the amazing run of weather we’ve had this summer), we decided to make a few adjustments to the Adventure School layout; nothing major but hopefully the tweaks will make a difference.

1. ‘Dry area’ extension

We’ve moved the spare frame we had in the old AS area up to our new base, and used it to extend the covered over area by the fire pit. We used a tarpaulin and some canvas scraps to try and give us increased cover and protection: we needed to improvise with a bucket (see if you can spot why and how in the photograph).

2. Removed the fire pit!

Yes, that’s right the fire pit has gone – well, not gone… just moved.

3. Added a wood burning camping stove and chimney

Yay, we’re so excited by this. We used the old tiles from the fire pit to create a base for a new stove and chimney, which will mean:

  • No more smoke in the eyes (or on the clothes) – well, not as much as before anyway!
  • The stove will give off a lot of heat ensuring we’ll be snug and warm all through the winter (that’s the plan at least)
  • Hot water will be a lot more readily available
  • We’ll be able to cook outdoors more easily

We have more DIY planned going forwards, as well as developing the wider space that we have to work with – but that will be the job of the DofE group as this is their volunteering project.

End of update!

DMS DofE group complete their Bronze award

27 June 2018

Well done, lads!

Campsite Day 2

It’s really exciting to be able to share the news that Derrymount’s first ever DofE group has completed the DofE Bronze Award. We are all so proud of the group of four lads who were part of this amazing achievement.

Just waiting for official sign off from Nottinghamshire.

More details coming soon!

Leavers’ / P16 Summer Residential

4 June 2018

Residential to York and Dalby

Note: please pay the balance for the trip as soon as possible.

Dates:

  • Leave DMS on Monday 18th June, 12.30
    • Arrive at school as normal. We will be going to the supermarket to buy provisions for the meals the trip will be providing.
      NB. a packed lunch is needed for Monday
  • Return DMS on Thursday 21st June, approx 3pm

Kit list:

Bring a single bag / small suitcase and a small bag/day sack for trips etc
The below is just a guide – please adjust according your own needs.

  • Pants (3 days)
  • Socks (3 days)
  • Trousers & Shorts (weather dependant) (3 days)
  • Waterproof coat
  • Waterproof trousers
  • Sturdy Shoes / trainers
  • Casual Shoes (for around town)
  • Sun Hat
  • Sun Cream
  • Fleece
  • Jumper / Hoody (couple)
  • Pyjamas
  • Dressing gown / onesie
  • Slippers / indoor shoes
  • 2 towels
  • Wash Kit
  • Torch (spare batteries)
  • Watch
  • Tshirts (3 days)
  • Money for extra activities
  • Swimwear
  • Camera
  • Snack
  • Refreshment and snacks

Spending money:

Some spending money for shopping / gifts / souvenirs can be taken (£25 – £35) but please also bring money to cover elements of the trip not covered by the core costs – please see below:

  • Monday
    • evening meal (pub meal)
    • York Dungeon (£11) and/ or Cinema (£6-7)
  • Wednesday
    • Segway – optional (£5)
    • Change for amusements
    • Fish and Chip supper
    • Dracula walk – optional (£5)Phones and valuables

Students will be encouraged to look after their own valuables (including spending money), but if any students are worried about this, they should let the DMS staff on the trip know.

Phones and chargers can be brought along so as to make a call home in the evenings (if required) but students will be encouraged to use phones just for music and photographs at other times.

A handheld game device can be brought for journeys, but students will be encouraged to not use them at other times.

Any more questions / queries, please get in touch with the school office.

Adventure School gets a make over

29 May 2018

All hands to the pump (or to the nettles in reality)

Ever since a neighbour backing onto the school expressed a lack of enthusiasm towards our outdoor endeavours  – I think the sound of happy and enthusiastic students got a bit too much for him – we started considering our options and eventually we decided to move our Adventure School HQ a number metres along our boundary fence.

Now, this wouldn’t have been such a big deal if it hadn’t been for the fact that the 100m we had to move was home to: nettles, brambles and years of uncontrolled natural growth (no, I’m not talking about Andrew’s beard here).

But rather than seeing this as a problem, we saw this as an opportunity to get the students practically immersed in a hands-on get-stuck-in project that would benefit them and the school in general (for years to come). We set to work removing branches, sticks, nettles, brambles and much more and using freshly cut (and kindly donated) tree chippings.

The result: a safe and usable area… check out the last photo below.

Great job everyone!

The job isn’t finished though (we have big ideas), but as you can see, things are looking a lot better and we’re back to normal with the bushcraft and outdoor hands-on activities which we all enjoy. There’s even a hammock or two for those that just need to lay back, look at the canopy and chill.

Gryff the school dog – Dlog 2

29 May 2018

Woof, Gryff here!

Welcome to my Dog Log, or Dlog. This is post 2.

Wowzers, what a first half term I’ve had! Not only have I settled in nicely – and stopped chastising the guinea pigs – I’ve also been attending more lessons (and been off my lead a lot more).

OK – when I signed up to be a school dog, I never actually expected to have to attend lessons and look interested! As you can see, I’ve been working hard and even improved my touch-paw typing skills.

As all of the students know though, my favourite time at school is when I’m ‘busy’ getting fussed and cuddled. I really love it when students see my around school and come over for a chat and hug – I never get sick of hugs and tummy tickles. It makes me happy and it also seems to help the lovely students too (especially when they might be angry or anxious).

Well, I’d better go now – I know it’s not a school night but we all still need to get plenty of sleep to stay healthy and happy. Oh, and if any students are feeling a bit mixed up by the change of routine a ‘forced holiday’ brings, rest assured: dogs are creatures of habit too (so I feel a little disorientated too).

Anyway, not many more sleeps until we’re back at school.

Be good, be happy, and when we’re back at school, if you’re ever not feeling great, come and see me and I’ll cheer you up.

Woof for now!
Gryff!