Page 9 - LION YEAR MAG 2017_FS_R_Neat

When we went back to see Greg, we met another
lady called Cassie and went to extend the pathway
down, up and around the side of the forest using the
It was really cold that day, but we could
Pupils from Year 9 at St David’s College tools. When we finished we made hot chocolate.
see we had made a big impact.
have been working towards the John Muir
After a storm, next time we felled a
tree called a Norwegian spruce, we
Conservation Award over the
winter months at Nant y Glyn
Forest School. To achieve
the award, they have to
discover, explore,
conserve a wild area and
then share what they have
done or learnt.
We have been working
towards our John Muir Awards
with Greg at the Colwyn Bay
Forest School. Here are some of
the things that we have been
doing to help out:
Back in November we started off by
exploring the forest and planned what
we were going to do to help. It was a cold
time of year, but Greg taught us how to
keep warm after working, by making hot
chocolate using the Kelly Kettle and a fire.
He was really helpful as we couldn’t light
the fire at first!
The next time we visited we went
back to the woods and made a
‘tippy-tap’ for washing hands
by the composting toilet.
Greg wasn’t there at the
time so we filled in and did
something for him.
The next time we visited
the woods we had to free
some oak trees using the
slasher, the saw, the loppers
and the billhook. Ela used the
j
loppers, Huw used the billhook and the
saw, Edward and Harry used the secateurs,
o
and Molly used the slasher. There were lots
h
of brambles!
muir
n
8
The current academic year has seen massive progression in the popularity and success of running of all types, building on
the foundations set during the previous year. With the addition of Cader residential assistant and Helm Hill AC fell runner
Andy Thompson to Mr Matthew Roberts’ running management squad the college has made leaps and bounds in the sport.
The year started back in September when Mr Thomson drove a strong squad to the English schools fell running
crowd fared well with Max Dunford starring by finishing 17 overall in his category as well as the senior boy’s who just
th
championships in Sedbergh – the first time ever a Welsh school had been represented. In a competitive event the SDC
th
finished out on a medal in the team event by finishing 4 .
The school activity programme meant running was on offer on Wednesday and Friday afternoons but also on
Saturday mornings. As a result a strong SDC squad attended numerous park runs in Conwy and Penrhyn park
tree, to help it fall in the right
direction. We used the log to make a
November saw the first round of the XC season with the Conwy schools at Eirias. The SDC squad once
cut out a wedge on one side of the in Bangor throughout the year. nd with Lois Lee showing early signs of her
again stormed the roost, sending a strong team of eight students through to the regional round in
Dolgellau in March. Max Dunford ran well to finish 2
bank for the footpath. potential to finish in 4 .
th
The next time we went to the
using the billhook, a few
SDC students set the pace – by this time donning the newly designed SDC running vest!
forest we made a saw horse The fell running season for 2017 kicked off in February with the Moelyci fell race in Rhiwlas. 15
Highlights included 1 under 16 for Lois and 2 for Max. Aiden O’Leary also performed well
nd
st
knives and a hammer to in the under 18’s. Next up was the Pipe Dream fell race in Dolgarrog, Max stormed it again by
whittle down the logs to
finishing 3 overall whilst Lois finished 4 overall and 1 under 18. Jack Harley-Walsh also
rd
st
th
wedge in the floor to
st
ran well to finish 1 under 18.
provide a suitable
surface for
Here there was more success for SDC with Gil Vaughan, Lois, Max, Charlie Mace, Jack and
Aiden all qualifying to race for Eryri in the Welsh schools down in Brecon later in the month.
cutting March saw the next round of the XC with the Eryri schools championships in Dolgellau.
wood.
This will g n later it was down to Brecon for the long journey, again all students ran gallantly – against
Credit to Gaia Gausden who ran well in her race but didn’t quite progress. A few weeks
help
th
some top level athletes. Lois led the way finishing 12 and Max 14 – just missing out on
th
Greg and
the top 8 required to qualify to represent Wales in the British schools championships. Gil
th
Vaughan ran well to finish 28 with Aiden, Jack and Charlie grouping well in the senior
his
boys.
groups by
March also saw the dawning of the legendary Joe Brown Tuesday evening series. This
basecamp
series of 12 races was well supported by the SDC squad and gongs were won at many
levels as the final race and series presentation approached in June. Max finished 5 overall
th
area. the i n n but 1 under 16, Lois also won the under 16’s whilst Aiden finished 2 in the under 18’s
st
nd
The last time we went u The highlight of the year was Max crowning his year by finishing 2 in the Welsh trial race
and an improving Haydn Cole finished 2 .
nd
with Greg, we planted 87
nd
for the World Youth Mountain running cup in Devils Bridge, mid Wales in March. This allowed
slope and afterwards we
willow trees down by the r Max to win his first cap for Wales by racing in Southern Italy in June.
chocolate using the Kelly l again to Andy Thompson for all the help and here’s hoping
had a celebratory hot
So there we go, clearly another utterly successful year. Thanks
Kettle and the fire. fel for more enjoyment and success in 2017 - 18
On our final visit, it was just us.
We made a mallet each, out of a single
branch, as Greg had taught us previously. It was a
beautiful day with blue sky and no wind. The campfire
smoke rose straight up into the trees as we sat
Year 9
whittling around the fire at the basecamp area.
Matthew Roberts