Archives for May 2019

Students and staff enjoyed a bank holiday Monday at the coast when they visited the Welsh seaside town of Barmouth for the day.

Students Drew, Carter, Leah, Tom and Katherine enjoyed a day on the beach, eating ice-creams, playing in the arcades and making the most of the fun of the fair.

Grey weather didn’t deter the seaside revellers who enjoyed a break from their timetabled curriculum for bank holiday Monday.

As well as their vocational learning, Derwen College students spend time learning independence skills through fun activities and well-being sessions outside of timetabled sessions including clubs, trips and social events. Happy holidays!

Derwen College students have faced wet weather, blisters and nights under canvas this month in preparation for challenging Duke of Edinburgh’s (D of E) Awards.

A total of 44 students from the specialist Shropshire college have been training for their Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards on gruelling practice expeditions. Students have covered miles of road, canal and lake in the build up to demanding treks which will see them achieving Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards.

Sixteen Bronze Award students tackled a 5km walk across Pontcysyllte Aqueduct into Chirk in preparation for a two-day expedition around the Chirk area. 22 Silver students spent three days and two nights on a canoeing and camping expedition along the Llangollen canal, completing a gruelling 26 kilometres on the water.

Six students have been working towards the most challenging Gold Award. Students spent five days and four nights at Glan Llyn activity centre on the shores of Lake Bala taking part in a range of outdoor activities and helped instructors deliver activities to school children. They also undertook a four day and three night trek in the Beddgelert area of Snowdonia, walking 10km each day

Derwen College is proud to see so many students working towards Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards. Last year, saw five Gold award students visiting Buckingham to receive their awards from Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester and Winter Paralympic athlete Sean Rose. The college will be honouring all D of E students who have worked so hard at a dedicated awards ceremony in July.

The college first took on the challenge of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards scheme back in 2014, and was one of the first specialist colleges to do so. Interest in the programme has grown, with a large proportion of students taking part.

Steve Evans, Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards leader and Sports Co-ordinator at Derwen College, strongly believes that the D of E programme complements Derwen College’s vision to create ‘an enriched learning environment that enables students to transform their lives for the better.’

Steve says: “The D of E programme is challenging and gives our students the chance to develop skills for life and work. It promotes independence, pushing young people out of their comfort zone.”

“Our students have additional needs such as autism, physical disabilities and communication difficulties, despite this, they go above and beyond to achieve. We see our young people come through the programme with raised self-esteem and increased confidence. As well as gaining a nationally recognised award, achievement of the D of E evidences commitment and dedication whilst developing problem solving, independent thinking and leadership attributes; skills that the students can use in other areas of life. It is recognised as the world’s leading youth award and can enhance employment and independence – something we actively promote at Derwen College.”

Dozens of students and staff at Derwen College turned up in the bright sunshine yesterday to support a fellow student who will be attempting a charity bike ride around Lake Vyrnwy this summer.
Mack’s Challenge will see student Mackenzie Beeson cycle around the beautiful Mid Wales lake in July to raise funds for the college.

Yesterday’s pre-challenge day was designed to tell staff, students and visitors to Derwen College all about the event, and to gather support. Over 20 students took turns on an exercise bike outside the college’s Garden Centre to lend their support to Mack. Visitors to the college were told about the challenge and pledged their support. The students managed to clock up 65 miles between them on the bike, which represents the distance from Derwen College to Lake Vyrnwy, around the Lake and back again to college. Visitors to the college raised a brilliant £136.47 on the day, taking the running total so far up to £266,
Mack used the opportunity to show supporters his specially adapted bike which he will use for the challenge, and to put in some essential training.
For more information about Mack’s Challenge and to pledge your support please go to:
www.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/mackschallenge
Or contact Anna Evans, Fundraiser at Derwen College on 01691 661234 ext.395

Derwen College staff and students will be cycling the distance to Lake Vyrnwy and back in training for ‘Mack’s Challenge’ -­ a student’s sponsored cycle ride around the picturesque Mid Wales lake.

On Tuesday, 14^th May, a team from the specialist college, in Gobowen, near Oswestry, will be taking turns to clock up 65 miles – the mileage from Derwen College to Lake Vyrnwy, around the lake and back – on a static bike. The event at the College’s Garden Centre hopes to raise funds and awareness ahead of student Mackenzie Beeson’s main sponsored cycle ride this summer.

For Mack’s Challenge, Mackenzie and supporting staff and students will be cycling the entire distance around Lake Vyrnwy on his adapted bike on Sunday, 7^th July. The 12-mile ride will coincide with the start of the Tour de France and hopes to attract cycling fans to come along and support on the day.

Mackenzie will be raising funds for Derwen College and making a donation to inclusive cycling charity Wheels For All who are supporting the project.

Mackenzie, from Aberdyfi in Gwynedd, has speech and language difficulties and learning difficulties, but has never allowed his disabilities to hinder his ambitions. He has a love of cycling on his specially adapted bike, and a determination to prove that anything is possible.

Mackenzie’s father Shane Beeson says that Mack has never let anything hold him back.

He said: “His first ride charity bike when he was school was a 39-mile cycle from Newtown to Aberdyfi. In summer 2017 he cycled a gruelling 99 miles over five days. As a family, we have always wanted to highlight Mack’s abilities rather than his disabilities, and he has always challenged himself in all his endeavours.

“We are pleased to be able to take part in this challenge and to raise money for Derwen College.”

To support Mack’s Challenge come along on Tuesday or donate on his fundraising page HERE.

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/mackschallenge