What leadership means at D ulwich
‘The ready availability of new technology such as GPS tracking systems raises interesting questions for Duke of Edinburgh participants and their supervisors. One such dilemma is whether students should be allowed to carry mobile phones’
Below : The expedition builds team work in the outdoor environment.
of Edinburgh expedition. Getting lost is almost always resolved without significant problems. However, nowadays teachers and instructors are able to use a GPS system to track the progress of groups in real time on an Ordinance Survey map of the area. The boys carry a transmitter on the outside of the rucksack that communicates their position every 60 seconds. Therefore, as long as there is an internet connection, a grid reference for their location is always instantaneously available. A minibus is then dispatched and magically appears out of the darkness, much to boys’ bemusement. (So if you ever wondered why teachers supervising students are often to be found in a local café, it is explained by the offer of reliable internet and not by their love of cake and caffeine). Technological developments such as this have added a layer of security to expeditions. Especially at Gold Level, it can be very important to establish exactly where a group may be if they have not arrived. In mountainous areas, access to sections of an expedition route can be difficult and being able to track a group can save a lot of wasted time. The ready availability of new technology such as GPS tracking systems raises interesting questions for Duke of Edinburgh participants and their supervisors. One such dilemma is whether students should be allowed to carry mobile phones. A phone can be an essential piece of emergency kit. If participants have a problem, as long as they have phone reception, they are able to call their instructor for help. They can also text their supervisor or school- emergency phone if they have fallen behind and need to communicate their location. In short, phones are appropriate when they are used sparingly, for essential communication and safety and emergency purposes. Another question related to phones is whether participants can use GPS on their devices – it’s easy to understand the temptation to reach for a phone’s map application when lost, regardless of whether this is seen as cheating. But the answer to this is clear: mobile phones are no substitute for traditional navigational techniques. They are not designed for the remote environments in which participants will travel and it is never good to be over- reliant on their technology. Therefore boys will continue to be taught all the navigational skills that they enjoy, and which can be so valuable to them throughout their lives. Many participants also use phones and consoles at home to listen to music, surf the internet and play
This year has seen developments in the work of the Senior Prefects at Dulwich College, as well as the introduction of a new position of Junior Prefect. With these in mind, The Alleynian asked Captain of School Anamay Viswanathan (Year 13) to reflect on the nature of leadership I n my mind, there has always been a natural distinction between ‘leadership’ and ‘management’. Leadership is about creating something new, being bold and striving for more. Management, in contrast, is about maintaining the status quo and approaching problems with reference to a set of established principles. In an institution that is fast approaching its 400th anniversary, an awareness of both terms is crucial for success in any role of responsibility within the student body. While ‘leadership’ carries a sense of exploration and adventure, ‘management’ is rooted in its respect for the past and adherence to a particular belief system within
computer games. On a Duke of Edinburgh expedition, boys are in a different environment, away from these modern gadgets and in a peer group surrounded by the great outdoors. What makes it such a valuable experience is the chance to spend time in a team and to build a sense of sharing the experience together. There are examples where technology can really help with this. For example, if a group is football mad, there is nothing to stop them all listening to a radio broadcast of an important game and sharing the experience. Similarly, they may choose to record a video diary of their Final Expedition to help them with their presentation. However, the majority of the time, a low-tech group activity such as a game of cards, a ball-game or Frisbee is more sociable and guaranteed not to run out of batteries! So, despite their uses, the benefits of being
an organisation. Indeed, black and blue runs through our veins: it is something we cannot, and should not, forget. To march boldly into the unknown without this awareness of our culture as a school would be unwise. Thus, the essence of the school and what it stands for has permeated into everything and anything the Senior Prefects have tried to achieve this year. Indeed, our emphasis on charitable projects was rooted in our interpretation of ‘God’s Gift’. For, in our eyes, it refers not to our status as Dulwich boys, but instead to our duty to give back to a community that has granted us so much. Charity has been one of Dulwich’s core values since 1619 – owing largely to the fact we were founded as one. With this in mind, the Prefects set about establishing links with the charity Kids Company, beyond fundraising efforts, in a bid to build a long-term relationship based on tangible, collaborative projects. The initial step came in the form of a Christmas present collection, in which the College community gathered more than a van’s worth of presents for the hundreds of vulnerable and disadvantaged children that Kids Company looks to support in London. This was followed by an events day that was held at the College at the end of the Lent term, where 20 Junior School boys were joined by 20 Kids
away from a phone for a few days still outweigh the connection they provide. But expect to see them carried in many pockets just in case… This year, Bronze Duke of Edinburgh expeditions will take place in the North Downs and Gold expeditions in the Lake District.
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