keep active! University of Wales: Trinity Saint David on the Carmarthen campus has over a 160 years’ experience of offering physical education, sport and outdoor education related courses. More recently, these have expanded to include courses in health, exercise and nutrition. The School of Sport, Health & Outdoor Education currently offers the following programmes; BSc Health & Exercise Referral, BA Health & Exercise and Sport Studies, BSc Health, Nutrition & Lifestyle, BA Outdoor Education, BA Physical Education, and MA Outdoor Education. New programme development continues with the launch of the MA Physical Education course in September followed by BSc Sports Therapy in 2014. Programme development within the School has been very much led by UK government and Welsh Assembly policies linked to health, social cohesion and a concern for low levels of physical activity within the population. The use of the outstanding natural environment in Wales to improve health, social inclusion, sustainable tourism and the economy is embedded in both Outdoor Education degrees. Several academic staff within the School play a key role in the national Physical Education and School Sport (PESS) initiative in Wales, and the School has a proven track record of students progressing into the teaching profession and a range of professions in health, exercise and the outdoors. The School has invested heavily in the latest health and fitness assessment technology to support the undergraduate courses, ‘A’ level workshops and INSET, and a community health and fitness programme. Vocational relevance is a strong theme underpinning all degrees and students are strongly encouraged to gain additional experience and qualifications to support their career aspirations. Work placement begins in the very first term and is developed further in the second year. University of Wales: Trinity Saint David prides itself as being a “community University”, and the School of Sport, Health & Outdoor Education plays a significant role is fulfilling that mission. In addition to its degree programmes, the School has a community swimming programme, Easter and Summer Sports Camp for 8-14 year olds and training courses for teachers, ‘A’ level students and the Dyfed/Powys police. The recent hosting of a research symposium with academics from Telemark University in Norway continues to strengthen academic and research links and builds on the well-established student exchange programme for Outdoor Education students. The internationally renowned outdoor adventure academic Colin Mortlock delivered the key note address. Other international partner exchange opportunities are with Greensboro University in North Carolina in the USA (BA Physical Education/Health & Exercise), Douglas College Vancouver in Canada (MA Physical Education) and Hobart William Smith in New York State (Outdoor Education summer school). At the individual level, students frequently comment on the warm sense of community within the school and the wider campus. The establishment of the new Trinity St David University, and subsequent investment in infrastructure on the Carmarthen campus, will provide an opportunity for further development of the activities and mission of the School of Sport, Health & Outdoor Education.
Time flies when you are having
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Where has the year gone? I’m sure you’ll agree with me that time is going so fast; 2012 is over and done with and I’m over halfway through my Outdoor Education Degree in Carmarthen. Yet I must say I’ve had an amazing two years, full of wonderful experiences and opportunities.
Time flies when you are having fun.................................... 03 Mastering Physical Education..................................... 04 Sam Davenport – You’d Believe a Man Could Fly.......... 04 Outstanding undergraduate student achievement............... 05 The Peacemakers....................... 05 International Research Seminar...................... 06 Synnwyr O Le.............................. 06 High Intensity Training for the Elderly............................. 07 Our students............................... 08 The Health Promotion............. 08 Eastern Approaches................. 09 Outdoor Management Development...............................10 John Grimes.................................10 Western Approaches.................11 Fitness and Health in Rural Communities...............11 Telemark University College...........................................12 Pedagogy and Lifestyle Research Seminar.......................14 Swim with the Salmons............14 Volunteering in Merida............15 Tour du Mont Blanc...................16
Jamie Bevan BA (Hons) Outdoor Education
To name a few – that’s me abseiling down a 5 pitch climb, roughly 150m high on the Greek island of Kalymnos. I was there on a week’s trip climbing with my university course, learning and developing my sport climbing leading skills. That’s easier said than done, trust me, but absolutely awesome fun. Climbing is my favourite outdoor activity.
Another experience I have enjoyed this year was my work experience opportunity, at the Glan Llyn Outdoor activity centre in Bala, North Wales. I was there for 6 weeks just before the summer holidays. I gained a lot of experience assisting and eventually instructing outdoor activities. I went there to develop my group management skills, working with young people and schoolchildren and also to develop the use of my Welsh language. I really enjoyed my time there, and it has opened my eyes to the possible career opportunities that are linked with my degree. I am thinking of completing my degree, then doing a PGCE teacher training course, and then doing some travelling whilst working in outdoor centres around the world. After this I’ll share all my experiences and possibly go into teaching. But who knows what might happen? My best experience has to have been my study abroad exchange in Norway. I was there for one semester from the sunny days of August, swimming in the lakes, to the cold depths of the Norwegian winter in December, where there was snow, and daytime temperatures of –7 Celsius. I was studying on the outdoor life course there, with a group of 10 international students from all over the world (Wales, USA, Canada, Netherlands, Germany, and Czech Republic). We had 30 nights out camping in the wild on expeditions, hiking, canoeing and sailing. There are so many stories I could share with you.
So…keep active!
This picture shows one of my favourite experiences in Norway. It was in the Lyselfjorden, on the west coast. Along with two other students I planned and undertook a trip around the 30km fjord, hiking, catching ferries, buses and trains and even hitch hiking. Thumbs up!
Ceredig Emanuel Head of School
One of the big attractions is the Preikestolen rock. It is 600m high and goes over the edge of the fjord, seen here with the ferry in the distance.
/Trinity-Saint-David-School-of-SportHealth-and-Outdoor-Education 02 Active Express
@tsdshoe
fun!
The second, being the more thrilling attraction is Kjeragbolten. This is a rock wedged between two cliffs, which you can stand on. The adrenaline comes from the fact that it is a straight 1km drop to the fjord water below. It was terrifying but an amazing memory that I’ll keep forever! Active Express 03