New-Bridge students on Mourne expedition

Sixth Form student Oisin Haddow said: “We were required to walk through the Mournes for three full days, and to camp out for two nights.

“We could only bring what we could carry, and were left completely on our own. 

“All our food had to be cooked on a trangia, limiting what we ate to essentially pot noodles and cereal bars.  No external resources such as microwaves were allowed.

“The walks were long and enduring, heaving 20kg bags in the mud and pouring rain, getting little breaks and taking six or more hours to reach our next campsite.

“We had to camp in cold conditions, and woke up to find frost on our tents both mornings.

“After every walk, the first thing we did was cook food.

“There was a very friendly atmosphere around the site, with several other schools also undertaking their Duke of Edinburgh award.

“At the end of each day the sense of self pride was unrivalled, as I felt I had really accomplished something. 

“It was definitely worth doing and I would recommend it. 

“I found it extremely rewarding and enjoyable. It will also look great on an UCAS application and CV.”

Teaching staff said: “Well done New-Bridge Duke of Edinburgh Team 2016. “