Page 29 - Autumn 2018 Echo AVE

BTEC 27

Public Services Students Sports BteC students show
enjoy excellent expedition their Spirit of Adventure

In October,the College’s Public Services Course BTEC Sport students started their course by embracing
students packed their bags and set off to the exquisite the outdoors, as they spent the day on Dartmoor taking
beaches of Polzeath, in Cornwall. part in a whole host of adventurous activities.
led by tom Sandle in Year 13, this was an expedition the packed course, which gave the 18 students the
that the students had meticulously planned and perfect opportunity to bond, work in teams and
prepared for over a number of months. the students showcase their athleticism, was a complete outdoor
undertook a total of 4 hours of surf lessons, conducted education experience known as the ‘Young Spirit
by ‘Surfs Up Surf School’, as well as a picturesque 10 km Programme.’
coastal and rural circular walk. Students undertook map making and orienteering, rock
On arriving back at base camp the students split into climbing, abseiling and a pioneering skills session. the
pairs to rapidly erect their tents before twilight set in, final session of the day was an adventure race, which
whilst a barbecue was cooked by another student for included rock and high ropes elements, navigation, and
the group. wet and dry challenges.
tom said that it was an “excellent expedition and I “It was a rewarding and productive way to start the
would love to go back!” BteC course,” said Mrs Reddy, who organized the
outing. “the Spirit of Adventure staff were extremely
Physical Preparation for professional. they focused on building our students’
Public Service Careers individual skills and developing their teamwork through
challenging and fun activities that had real purpose.”

Year 13 student, Josh Crooks is studying BTEC Public Services and has the following to say about the course, “As
part of our course we are working on a unit entitled ‘Physical Preparation’. the aim of this unit is to train and
prepare to meet the physical standards required by the public services we are wishing to be a part of. During the
unit we have worked to organise our own training programmes and dietary plans to achieve our goals whilst
monitoring our progress and testing ourselves every 6 weeks.
At the start of the course I weighed only 55kg and my mile and a half time was 11 minutes and 37
seconds. After working closely with Mr Cater to manipulate my training I have been able to adapt
my weights training to increase my weight to 62kg. As well as this, training in the aerobics gym has
improved my mile and a half time to 8 minutes and 28 seconds. this leaves me comfortably within
the 9 minutes and 40 seconds I need to join my chosen public service. I have also improved my
body weight tests. I can now complete 68 press ups in a minute, 74 sit ups in a minute and finally 26
consecutive pull ups. these standards leave me being able to join my chosen service, and the
knowledge I have now means that I feel comfortable to adapt my training to reach my goals.
Currently, everyone on the course is extremely competent in their physical training and on target to
pass physical selection for our chosen public service. “

the College echo - Autumn 2018 - www.ivybridge.devon.sch.uk