In the final week of the Spring term, a group of students from Years 9 and 10 set off for a week-long expedition to the Arctic Circle. Led by Physics teacher Daphne Cogan and supported by Jack Ginger (Geography) and Esther Arnott (History/EAL), the group travelled to Tankavaara in northern Finland to take part in a programme run by the Polaris Outdoor expedition team.
The trip was designed to teach students how to survive and adapt in Arctic conditions, with a focus on building resilience, self-confidence, leadership, and teamwork. Throughout the week, students took part in a range of challenging and memorable activities, including:
- Cross-country skiing
- Snowshoeing
- Tracking animals
- Building and sleeping in snow shelters
- Setting up Arctic expedition base camps
- Conducting search and rescue operations
- Learning Arctic first aid skills
- Navigating in white-out conditions across forests and tundra
- Mountain hiking
- Cooking in Arctic conditions
- Leading husky dog teams
As they developed these skills, students were encouraged to plan and lead their own mini- expeditions. Working in small groups, they camped out under the stars each night, returning for breakfast with a strong sense of achievement and plenty of stories to share.
Evening sessions gave students the opportunity to reflect on their personal development. Structured discussions and tasks helped them explore how to overcome personal and societal barriers to success and happiness.
It was a week full of challenges, learning, and growth, with each student gaining new skills and confidence in an extraordinary environment.
