Outdoor Adventure Newsletter Issue 1 - University College Plymouth ...

in the Panathlon where there are two opportunities for
children to gain points for their schools.
The first Panathlon orienteering event was in November at
Mount Edgecumbe. It was a great day out where everyone
worked hard and saw the success of their efforts – 150
school children running around a variety of orienteering
courses set in the parkland. Well done and thank you to all
of you who took part in this event. The next stage is on
March 21; if you are interested in volunteering please
contact Su Porter.
PLACEMENT LEARNING
During the first semester a
number of third year students
undertook a placement for their
OUTH01 Programme
Management module. Their
experiences were varied but the
outcome was that everyone had
a positive experience. During
the second semester students following the OUTH02
Focus on Young People module are also given the chance
to undertake a placement. Students are advancing well
with the organisation of these placements – keep up the
hard work!
Choosing a module that involves a placement is a great
way to get practical hands-on experience to complement
your academic work in a supportive environment. It gives
you a chance to contextualise and reflect on your studies
as well as identify any personal strengths and
weaknesses. Several students on placement this year
have been offered a job as a result of successful
placements.
NEW MARJON PROSPECTUS
Before Christmas Outdoor
Adventure students and staff
were asked to be involved in
revamping the new Marjon
prospectus. Pictures were taken
of students kayaking off Phoenix
Wharf and later on in the week
on Dartmoor. Luckily for the
time of year the weather was great!
Todd Pressman, Marjon Marketing & Communications
Manager says “the designers have tried to get away from
the staged photographs and instead capture real moments
in time with staff and students”, it is hoped that this will
inject “some energy and excitement into the prospectus
design and convey the real feeling of community and
support which is one of Marjon’s greatest assets.”
POOL SESSIONS
The use of the pool for kayaking has really helped many
students to improve their skills and build confidence.
The use of the pool continues in Semester B (Tuesdays
Marjon The College of St Mark & St John Derriford Road Plymouth PL6 8BH www.marjon.ac.uk
and Fridays). Sessions are open
to all OUT students. Please keep
an eye on the notice board
outside of the OEC for days and
time.
INDIVIDUAL STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS
A number of OUT students have achieved success on a
personal level – well done. If you have had a similar
success make sure you tell us about it; don’t be shy!
James Howell has been elected
as the student representative on
the regional executive for the
Institute for Outdoor Learning
(IOL). James says “I am trying to promote the IOL towards
students and similarly students towards the IOL” James is
keen to hear to hear comments or questions from anyone
that is interested in the IOL.
After two years of hard work Jon Reynolds has achieved
his Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Later this month Jon
will go to St James’ Palace to receive his award. Jon says
“it took around two years to
complete and required a lot of
discipline and commitment. I feel I
have come so far since then … the
award has definitely left an impact
on me”. To find out more about the
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme
see www.theaward.org
David Jaggs and Alex Read have both represented their
country in Surf Kayaking.
HOME INTERNATIONALS PORTUGAL (PENICHE)
2006 SURF KAYAKING
by Alex Read
The home internationals for 2006 were held in Portugal
(Peniche). The countries that went out to the competition
were: England, Ireland, Wales, Jersey and a team made
up of people from the rest of the world as the worlds were
going on at the same time.
This was the first
competition that I had
represented England; I
was entered in the juniors’
international class. On my
first day I came second
followed by a third on the
second day. It was a
close competition with
England taking first place overall followed closely by
Ireland.
I thoroughly enjoyed competing and would like to thank all
my sponsors: Nookie Xtreme Sport Equipment, Gecko
Headgear, Marjon Sports Federation and Zumajay Surf
Shop, for their continued support.