Student Diaries

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Monday 1st may

Andy - Is it already Monday evening? It is unbelievable that this is the last day! Today we have said are final good bye and thanked the people of Resolute Bay for how welcome they made us as well as all they did for us – this included our great singing efforts (with Mr. Davis’s Elvis impression!). The trip has been so packed – this mixed with twenty-four hour daylight has meant that the days seem to have merged together - it has been such an incredible experience! We are all shattered from the trip. However it is going to be incredibly upsetting to leave not just this place which too wonderful for words but to leave the culture, which is so different as well as exciting. It will equally be upsetting to the leave the people who have been so friendly and given so much time and effort to us. It is hard to think that just over a year ago we all were given a fantastic opportunity and now it has come to an end. Nevertheless it will stay with all of us for ever with others learning from our experience. Yet it would not have been possible from all the support from family, friends and sponsors so... Thank you!

Harry - So, the final day and it is a shame to think we have to go home soon! The past 12 days have been some of the best of my life. After a final farewell at the school, James, Ady and I tackled the face of Signal Hill (on skis) and we are pleased to say we made it to the very top! The ski back down (extremely steep) was interesting to say the least! ( I did it on one ski!) After our evening meal, I managed to get a ride on the hotel manager’s skidoo! After a crash course in how to drive it, I went out on the ice flying over bumps and going pretty quick! A great way to end the trip! I am so pleased to have been given the opportunity to experience life in the High Arctic. It has been amazing to go out on the sea ice, explore the valleys, climb the hills, ski the slopes, visit the school, meet the local people, learn about the culture and in return, give something back by fully appreciating what Resolute Bay and Nunavut has to offer. To thank all the people who made this expedition possible may take a while, but a special mention should go to our teachers, for providing us with what as truly been an experience of a lifetime and Ady for the adventurous activities he sorted out for us. Also, a thank you to the local people for their generosity and hospitality. I have had an amazing time, and the memories and experiences I have gained will last for a long time. Through our student expedition, and following Sean and his team (inspirational) I can safely say I can understand and appreciate the “Spirit of Adventure”.

Tara -today I started to packed my kit; it's a bit sad that we're leaving, I’ve really enjoyed myself over 11 days we've been here. We then visited the school for the last time. We presented then with some gifts; picture, sticks
of rock, hats, etc and sang a couple of songs for them; that was embarrassing. After that we went o the hamlet to present the mayor with a picture of Exmouth. We then had some pictures taken with the Polarquest team. We then started to bundle each other; we all started to bundle Ady which was funny. The guys then went skiing on signal hill but the girls and Andy went bum- sledging on signal hill, it was hilarious. We came back to the hotel for lunch and then went to the airport shop as the co- op here is necessities rather than tourist shopping. Later on we are planning on playing volleyball at the gym for the last time. This week has been amazing and everyday I would wake up and still not believe that I’m in the high arctic on a school expedition, I feel this is one of my greatest achievements in life so far and will continue to be one for a long time to come. I would just like to thank everybody and anybody for their donations, sponsorships and most of all their support. I hope you've all enjoyed reading the website, this is an experience that I will never forget all it all down to all those who gave us the support we needed. I would also like to thank the Royal Marines and Royal Navy for making this adventure possible. I'm off to finish my packing, thank you all once again.

Kizzie - Today was our last day in Resolute bay, and we definatly made the most of it. In the morning we walked up to the school and gave the teachers and the students their presents, they seemed very confused of the idea of seaside "rock" but enjoyed the large picture of Exmouth. We all came back to the Hotel for our lunch. And at about 2ish we all went outside to the bay, and had some photo's taken with the royal marines which had just come back from the pole. After a few games of bundle ( the girls soooo won, Adi we kicked your but!) We walked up signal hill, Harry, Matt, James, and Adi ski-d down and myself, Tara, Lucy, Andy and miss dry bum sledded down the side of the hill. We then went up to the airport to go to the shop because it wouldn't be open that early in the morning. After tea we packed all our bags, and then went up to the hamlet to play some more volley ball, it was really good fun and the icewarriors also played aswell. I have really loved this expedition, we have worked so hard for the past year, all of us, and its sad to know that its all over. Resolute bay is amazing, it is such an remote place, it feels like your in your own little world whilst up here. I am so happy that i was able to fly to the pole, but if i could change anything i would change the weather, this would mean that the Marines would have reached the North pole quicker and the rest of the polar watch team would of been able to go! I will be upset to say goodbye to everyone here, we've met some really great people here. I would like to say thankyou to all the people who sponsored me and this expedition and who surported. We couldn't of done it without you!

Sarah - Can't believe that I am writing my last diary entry the past few days seem to have flown past. For so long we have had such a long time before we were going home. The last day started as usual breakfast at 7.30, we then started to pack our kit and made the final preparations to the presents we had brought for the school. We then went up to the school and gave them all of our presents. We then went to the town Hamlet to present a picture to the Mayor. After lunch we went out to the back of the hotel to get pictures taken with the marines holding our sponsors flags, This was followed by a game of bulldog in the snow. After taking the pictures we headed up signal hill to go bum sledging and skiing for the last time. During the evening Ady took Harry and I out on a skidoo kindly lent to us by ozzy. We then headed up to the gym for a last game of volleyball with the teenagers, then it was back to the hotel to finish packing for an early start in the morning. I would like to take the chance to thank some of the people who have helped with this trip and without them it really wouldn't have been the same. Firstly Ozzy the hotel owner for putting up with us for 12 days, and also the kind donations of junk food for all of us. Secondly Randy for feeding us all and making such brilliant cake! I would also like to thank Tony from Polar challenge the majority of activities would not have been possible without the loan of your kit! I would like to thank both Miss Dry and Mr Davies who did all of the hard work behind the scenes, and for taking so many brilliant photo's! I would like to thank as he would say "Hired Help" Ady who really was brilliant who kept us all safe and Happy! Finally a massive thank you to the marines and local businesses for making this trip possible it truly has been amazing and life changing for so many of us! Thank you everyone!