Once again Notre Dame has been successful in the Fieldfare Challenge (previously the Kielder Challenge).

The Challenge is an inclusive national outdoor adventure competition which has been running for over 26 years. It involves outdoor problem solving activities that test the skills of a team to work together, communicate, plan and evaluate. Most importantly, the Challenge is fully inclusive and open to all young people.

The activities challenge teams of eight 13 to 16 year olds, four with and four without disabilities. All team members can play an active role in solving the challenges and the inclusion of all is a key goal for each team.

The 2012 Final was again a very successful event and for the first time it was held at Laches Wood Education Centre in Staffordshire rather than the Kielder Forest.Once again we were joined by 5 other teams from across the UK as the 6 highest scoring schools from the uk heats.

After a weekend of hard fought competition from the participants who put their all into every aspect of the Challenge; battling their wits against Tarquin the Troll, canoeing up and down the Union Canal (and falling in!) and trying to communicate without seeing each other to build a totem pole in 8 large tee-pees; one team had to be crowned the Fieldfare Challenge Cup Winners 2012. Unluckily for Notre Dame we were pipped at the post by Marjorie McLure School from London who took this year's trophy.

The trophy however, is not the only prize on offer. The other much sought after prize at the Challenge is the Unity Shield which is awarded at the Final for the team that has been deemed to be the most friendly, unified and integrated throughout the Final.  The winner of the Shield is voted for by the other teams attending the Final and also a selection of volunteers that observe all the teams over the 2 day event.

Notre Dame were awarded the Unity Shield and it was agreed by all that the team fully embraced the spirit of the Challenge and embodied the spirit of the event. Throughout Notre Dame's long history in the Challenge this is the first time Notre Dame has been awarded the trophy which is an amazing effort and a real credit to the team members.

These members were: Luke Webb, Adam Withers, Hannah Grover, Sairah Nazir, Daniel Snelson, Changmin Doh, Grace Moffatt, Joe Kelly.

Staff Members on the trip were: Mr Norton, Mrs Tazzyman and Mr Blake.