Four past students from St Edmund's College had a day out they will never forget on Tuesday 23rd October. Emily Eveleigh, James Stockman, John Brannan and Dylan Bowey all received their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards at St James's Palace. The highlight for them was meeting the Duke if Edinburgh himself.
To achieve the Gold DofE Award involves eighteen months of hard work and commitment.
Students participate in activities towards the Volunteering, Physical and Skill sections. They also complete a five day residential. The most challenging aspect of the award is probably the expedition section.
Here students work in groups of 4-8 and are completely self-sufficient for four days whilst they complete a planned route.
Whilst at the Palace the College was also presented with their own licence allowing us to operate as a Duke of Edinburgh licenced centre.
This is something the College is very proud of and have been working towards over the last two years. This gives the College more independence and the opportunity to go into the wider community and offer more young people the chance to participate in this excellent scheme.
The Award has grown in popularity at the College over the last few years with over 200 students participating, including 58 at Gold level this academic year.
The College is not only proud of the large number of students who sign up for the Award but also the 92 per cent completion rate last year. Fourteen staff are actively involved in supporting the students through the Award.
The Award supports the College's ethos of providing students with a truly all rounded education. The majority of students are able to complete all areas of the Award through the activities programme on offer.
A wide variety of students participate in the Award and it truly this gives them the chance to grow in confidence and provides they with memories that last a lifetime.