News

Mr McDonagh’s Ten Tors Report

On the back of our three Ten Tors teams demonstrating such fantastic determination and togetherness in the recent Ten Tors Challenge on Dartmoor, Mr McDonagh wrote a brilliant, insightful report, which you can read below.

Mr McDonagh’s Ten Tors Report

At 5.00am on Saturday morning, as the haunting sounds of ‘Chariots of Fire’ woke the camp, 18 pupils from Penryn College prepared themselves for a challenge: could they hike 35 miles and visit 10 checkpoints over the next two days?

Around 2,000 pupils from across the south west gathered just outside of Okehampton Camp at 7.00am and awaited the starting cannon. Following some words of support and guidance from the head of the British Army, the cannon fired, and they were off.

Over the course of the next 12 hours, all three teams from Penryn College made excellent progress, while staff followed them through the trackers they had been given. When the sun set on Saturday evening, all 18 pupils were camped after a very successful day.

On Sunday morning, staff checked their progress and it was clear that some of the students were really going for it, knowing that there was a school record to try and beat. As we made our way to the finish line to await the arrival of pupils, supporters from other schools wished them well as they had been impressed by the progress they had been making on the Saturday.

At 10.35am, 12 pupils from two teams crossed the finish line after a monumental effort: they had both broken the school record. A very impressive achievement. With 12 pupils back in, staff awaited the arrival of the last team. Despite a small downpour on this last leg, they were undeterred, and it didn’t take long before we spotted six pupils walking down the hill wearing their floral garlands.

When they crossed the finish line, it was to cheers from staff and the surrounding crowd. Truly a great weekend for all pupils and despite some sore (and probably blistered) feet, all pupils were still smiling after their efforts. Well done to one and all.