This rugged Land Rover Defender is the latest addition to the Dame Alice 'mid-field' team. Mrs Jill Berry, Headmistress, would like to extend her thanks to the PTA and all the girls and parents who have given up their time and money to support the fund raising events that have made the purchase possible. Thanks also to Rogers of Bedford, who facilitated the 'transfer'! Mrs Berry said, "Many of the extra-curricular activities which the girls here at Dame Alice enjoy rely upon the use of a vehicle like this. The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme, for example, is an important part of our extra-curricular programme and our girls gain a great deal from the Scheme's diverse range of challenges. We are delighted to have a reliable vehicle which will match the girls in terms of high levels of endurance and capability over rugged terrain when taking on the expedition challenge."

Activities with an element of adventure are becoming increasingly popular amongst Dame Alice's ambitious girls. In addition to the opportunities provided by the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme, the Defender will be put to great use by the Combined Cadet Force during Adventure Training weekends. The Dame Alice Rowing Coaches are also looking forward to using it to tow the School's boats to Regattas.

Surprisingly, even the Physics department have been putting it to good use. Whilst studying volumes and displacement in a Physics lesson last week the question "How many girls do you think you could fit into a Land Rover Defender?" was posed. One enterprising young girl suggested that the correct answer could only be confirmed through practical experimentation. Incredibly, the entire form group of 22 pupils squeezed into the vehicle and the moment was captured on camera. Becky, from Year 8, said "This is certainly the best way to learn about volumes and displacement. I won't forget this lesson in a hurry!"