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Richard Ledingham

Sunday 04 December 2005

Today gave the opportunity to escape the walls of the school for the great outdoors....well Haddington. Having attended the S4 Challenge during my observation week in early October I was really looking forward to today, and it didn't disappoint.

Arriving in Haddington our team closely surveyed the opposition. Having won both the S3 and S4 challenges the pressure was on to complete the 'treble'. 6 teams were competing for the title and I liked our chances. First the saftey briefing for pupils and staff and then the assignment of activities. I was stationed near the new building site on a small bridge. The task was simple fill a bucket with water, walk it around an obstacle course and empty it at the other end. The team with the most water wins. The tricky part was that no-one could touch the bucket and all seven team-mates had to accompany (get in the way) the walk.

The event was well organised, as I have come to expect from Liz and Alistair, and the change over from one activity to another worked very well. During a break I did get to witness the Dunbar team erecting a tent blind-folded. To my amazement they managed to do it.

When all the scores were counted and places decided we had come 4th. But, the day wasn't over yet. The final activity was a canoe race down the river. Every member of the team had to have at least one trip. Coming fourth meant that we were delayed by some 100 seconds after the first team. The enthusiasm to win and to regain some school pride led to what can only be described as a valiant effort. Capsizing a total of 20 times is an impressive feat. For some of the journey the team didn't even get back in the drowning canoe but simply walked along the river bed pushing the abandoned vessel.

Standing on the riverbank I was able to have a brief chat with Don Ledingham. Whilst observing the drowned rats that were children we discussed the roots of our ancestory and decided that we must be related via some great great grandfather (further investigation is required)

Unfortunately Dunbar did not manage to gain any places but I know a great time was had by all, and that many of the staff are now calling for a staff challenge...the competition could be fierce.!

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