Conservation Day December 2011

Redhill Common: north slope at the pond site. 30 students cleared scrub and trees from the north side of the pond. A significant area was cleared and they all worked hard and with enthusiasm. Small branches were burned and log piled up for collection. This task follows on from previous visits to open out this area and reinstate a grassland surrounding the pond which itself is planned for restoration in the future. Clearance of trees and scrub might at first appear destructive but it increases habitat diversity for various plants and animals along the forest edges created. Edge habitats are often more productive and the grassland will encourage new birds, insects and small mammmals, as well as bats. The glade will also provide a more attractive environment for people walking through the woods.

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Conservation Day March 2011

22 Bronze pupils did their first conservation day at Petridgewood Common near Salfords. Reigate Area Conservation Volunteers led the day and instructed pupils in the safe use of cutting tools and the purpose of felling and removing invading scrub species on the common. All pupils worked very well indeed and made a real difference to the area creating a more diverse habitat for species including rare butterflies, orchids and camomile.

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A guide to starting DofE at RGS

Click here to download:

HOW TO GET THE BRONZE AWARD 2011.pdf (501 KB)

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Here is a guide for 3rd Year pupils and parents thinking of starting Bronze DofE this January. This will be available as a hard copy at the Options Evening for parents and at the DofE assembly, both in January.

Volunteering: what can I do?

Volunteering Section

The volunteering section can be hard to organise.

At Bronze almost ANY activity which involves YOU HELPING OTHERS is ideal for voluntary service. Popular examples are: helping at a sports club, helping at church, helping at Rainbows / cubs / beavers, helping at a retirement home, charity shop, teaching youngsters trampolining, teaching chess to new players at a club ... etc.

You can also "look after" animals, but this should more involved than just taking care of your own pet! Caring for horses at a stables would be ideal. You are not encouraged to work at a Vets (it's a business). Remember that relatives are never allowed to be your assessor.

We run a Conservation Scheme at school which counts for Bronze volunteering.

At Silver and Gold you are expected to make more contribution to ORGANISE activities and run significant events, in addition to just helping out or turning up.

Opportunities at school include:

helping with Reigate St Mary's pupils with DT: see Mr Edwards
helping in the library: see Mrs Robert / Mrs Light
helping with the Pilgrim: see Mr Jones
helping teach Maths at RSM: see Mr Bader

At RGS we run an Award Leaders programme for Gold participants: this is an ideal voluntary service activity and helps us run the scheme too.

Check with me first if you are unsure whether an activity counts as a voluntary service.

Conservation Day Nutfield Marshes

30 3rd Year pupils went down to Nutfield Marshes - a nature reserve being established near Mercers Park. They worked on clearing a pond of invading reed mace (bull rushes) and surrounding willow. They managed to clear a substantial amount in just a day. This counts towards their Volunteering section.

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Sign Language Course 2010

The RGS Sign Language Course starts in September!

It can count for Silver skill OR volunteering (service).

It is run by a professional sign language tutor and takes place on Tuesdays after school 4-5pm and lasts about 12 weeks.

It is open to DofE 5th formers wanting to do a useful voluntary service or skill. For those doing it as a service you will need to extend your activity by raising deaf awareness in school or finding a placement in the community (tricky in the past). For those doing this as a skill you will find the course is sufficient to cover the silver requirement of 3 months of regular activity.

Sign up now in the DofE Office: any lunchtime!