USA Football Exchange Trip 2023 - Latest News - St Clement Danes School

Â鶹ÊÓƵ

Menu

USA Football Exchange Trip 2023

From July 18th to July 29th a group of enthusiastic Â鶹ÊÓƵ students embarked on an unforgettable journey to Maine, United States as part of a football exchange programme. Their 10-day adventure took them from training sessions at Husson University to thrilling outdoor activities.

The trip kicked off with football training sessions at Husson University under the guidance of two elite coaches, the students honed their skills and learned further valuable lessons about the sport. 

The students also had the chance to immerse themselves in American culture. They explored American shops, trying local delicacies and experiencing the vibrant atmosphere of the U.S. with two of the highlights being a visit to the stunning Acadia National Park and to Kennebec for white water rafting.

One of the primary purposes of the trip was to engage in friendly football matches with local teams. The first game, against the Acadia Fire team, was a memorable experience, even though it didn’t result in a victory. It was an opportunity to learn from the opposition and appreciate the different styles of play.

In the second game, the students had a better outcome, sealing a remarkable 10-1 victory over Bangor High with Jake Heckford hailed as man of the match. A further three exciting matches were played over the course of the week.

Throughout, the students were warmly welcomed by host families who opened their homes to the visiting students. This personal touch made the experience all the more enriching, as students got a first-hand look at American family life and culture, forming bonds with their host families.

Looking ahead, these students are now preparing to host the River City Boys and Girls for the Summer of 2024. They are eagerly seeking 15+ families willing to offer hospitality, ensuring that the warm and welcoming spirit of their American hosts is reciprocated. Plans are also in place for their own return trip, as they plan to take the boys and girls to Maine for a similar adventure in the summer of 2025.

This USA football exchange trip was a transformative experience for all the students involved. The students got to experience what it was like to play football abroad, broadening their perspectives on the sport and the world. 

 

 

Gallery

Categories

Category / All Articles

Archives

Also Featured

30th January

Teachers commended for transforming Design & Technology education

We were delighted to read that our Design and Technology teachers, Miss Yalley and Mr Hadley were featured in the Design and Technology publication.  The article discusses the transformation of the Design & Technology (D&T) department at St. Clement Danes School over the past five years. It discusses how Mr Hadley and Miss Yalley took ownership of the subject, implementing a new subject ethos based on trust, excellence, respect, and safety to foster student responsibility and independence. Key Initiatives & Changes Revamping Projects & Curriculum Introduced more challenging design projects at earlier years (Years 8 & 9). Shifted focus to design skills, problem-solving, and justifying choices over just practical outcomes. Prioritized quality over quantity in student projects. Notable projects: Year 7: Robot concepts Year 8: Articulated lamps Year 9: Branded dispensers & modular speakers Encouraging Inclusion & Diversity Created a girls-only club to boost female participation in GCSE Product Design. Sixth-form girls mentor younger students, building confidence and community. Design Ventura Competition Integrated mock coursework with the Design Ventura competition. Encouraged teamwork and prototyping to improve engagement. Use of AI & Technology Introduced cloud-based tools to make learning more accessible. Leveraged AI for idea development and communication. Professional Development & Industry Links Participating in the Teachers in Residence program to gain industry insights. Adopted industry models like the Double Diamond Design Process and Scrum-based project sprints to enhance student learning. Established workshops with industry professionals to inspire students, especially girls, to pursue design careers. Key Takeaways for Educators Adapt curriculum to student needs and school culture. Pilot new initiatives as clubs first to gauge student interest. Encourage student feedback to refine teaching methods. Be open to change and continuously evolve teaching strategies. The article ultimately encourages educators to embrace creativity, experimentation, and student collaboration in D&T education. We are very proud of our teachers for their continued hard work and dedication for each of their subject areas. Congratulations to Mr Hadley and Miss Yalley for their inspiring article and the incredible work they’ve done to transform Design & Technology at St. Clement Danes! Their dedication to fostering creativity, inclusion, and industry connections is truly commendable, and their impact on students will undoubtedly be long-lasting.