Today I have received my Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award. For this award I partook in 4 sections: service to the community, skills, physical and the expedition which where carried out over my final year at school (2007-2008)
Service to the community - For this section I took the opportunity to learn first aid so that if the opportunity arises I know how to and treat someone effectively.
Skills - Christchurch Youth Theatre Project on Sexual Health and Teen Relationships. In February 2008 I joined the Christchurch Youth Theatre, a new group of young people working together to create a piece of educational theatre to show at youth theatres and schools. It began by devising ideas and creating a story line. We decided that currently there are many issues surrounding sexual health with the youths' today and many people are not aware of the dangers. We believed that through drama we could connect to our peers on a level that some adults haven't achieved through lessons at school etc. We secured funding from the national lottery scheme, which took a lot of work, so that we could buy props, costumes and hire vans and halls. To ensure we had our facts right we spoke to nurses (general and sexual health nurse) and did a lot of research. In the end we devised and rehearsed and eventually performed our piece of theatre 'Concequences'. The plot focuses on a party, involving many realistic characters that many people could relate to, where people get drunk and two teenagers end up having un-protected sex. We take a look at vulnerable people who lie about their sexual experience and show how friendships can be tested at hard times. There is a lot of information about STI's and treatments through the clinic scenes and also some comedy moments to give the piece a light hearted feel so the audience don't feel as though they are being lectured. I really enjoyed being a part of this and feel great to have hopefully made a difference to young people in my area.
Physical - I took up a new sport, badminton, in school for this section. Having only played a few times previously it was a great opportunity to learn the skills involved. I met new people through my badminton classes and became confident playing double matches with them. Natalie, one of my badminton colleagues, was someone I got to know very well and we would often pair up for matches together. At one particular tournament together we won 2 out of the three double matches; we also took part in single matches. Once I had become confident enough with how to play, some of the group and myself were asked to become mentors for the newer additions to the group and help with classes for younger students. I thoroughly enjoyed learning this as a new sport and even though it is something that sadly I have not continued with, is something that I would like to take up again in the future.
Expedition - Walking is something that I really enjoy doing, especially on planned routes in my local area. Our expedition weekend was around the Perbecks.
Today has been amazing. Arriving at my school I was very nervous, as was many of my friends. I did not know what to expect from my results and I didn't want to get my hopes up too much. I had worked so so hard over the past two years for my GCSE's and very much wanted the grades to reflect my efforts.
Opening the envelope I was really nervous but amazed at what I saw. I was in my own little bubble; just so proud of myself. My results were fantastic.
English Language - A English Literature - A
Mathematics - A Sociology - A
Fine Art - A Food Technology - A*
Child development - A Religious Studies - A*
Drama - B
Having taken Science a year early and received my results in 2007 these weren't on my results list. I did however achieve:
Early entry Double Science - AA
As part of my Bronze Duke of Edinburgh award I participated in 6 hours of training in first aid. We covered topics such as burns, bleeding, choking, shock, heart attack, eye injury, resuscitation, treatment of an unconscious casualty etc. I took part in the test which you are required to complete to receive a qualification. There were several parts to the test. There was a written task, completing questions on basic knowledge of first aid, working on the Annie dolls to demonstrate successful approach to an injured citizen and show CPR, and walking into a unknown scenario, finding out what is wrong and showing initiative of how to deal with the injuries that are presented to you.
Through this I have received certification for the following:
- Appointed Persons 10 April 2008 - Valid for 3 years
- Emergency Life Support 10 April 2008 Heartstart UK
My interest in Midwifery has always been strong. Today however it has increased a whole lot more. The school had organised a trip for other prospective midwives and I to go to Bournemouth University to learn more about the job through it's taster day. I was really excited. This has been my first visit to a University and already I am getting excited about applying. We were met by a lecturer who talked to us about the course. We watched a video about the role of a midwife and I took particular interest in a woman's water birth. I remember feeling surprised and saddened and a little insulted by the horrified and disgusted reactions of some of the people around me, how can birth be disgusting, yes it is messy and there is a lot of screaming but it is beautiful experience. It is a miracle.
My favourite part however was when they brought out their lifelike model teaching equipment. They had a model of the lower half a woman. This included her abdomen, legs that had been cut at the thigh and of course, the vagina. This was their delivering model. The lecturer asked for volunteers in participating in delivering a baby through the model. I was warned that it hadn't been used in a while and wasn't well lubricated. The lecturer inserted the model baby into the abdomen and pushed the baby's head down into the vagina. I supported the head as by placing my hand over it as it moved down through the vagina and as it began to crown. Once the head was born I was instructed to place my palms on either side of the baby's head, just below the ear and gently guiding the head down. As more of the baby emerged I was instructed to guide it upwards and eventually it was born. The model baby required a lot of force to make it through and I appreciate the hard work the woman has to go through during labour. Once the baby was born it was very hard to grip. I was worried that I would not be able to keep my grip onto it. I was assured that no matter the circumstance, I would never drop a baby, and I never intend to! The day has been exciting and interesting and have gained a lot more knowledge about Midwifery courses and the job of a midwife.
I was most interested in the Midwifery talks however the university also invited us to sit in on other presentations, in health and social care and the range of nursing courses.
Well here I go with my first ever blog post. My intensions for this site is to log and record all the important and interesting moments that occur within my life. Events that have been exciting and challenging, events that have benefited others and events that I have learnt something new from. I am keed to maintain my blog as a record of my achievements and as a way of understanding the developments of my life.
Some of the events listed on this page have been backdated. I have kept a small diary over recent years so events published are reletively fresh
