Royal Celebrations for our Duke of Edinburgh Gold Awardees

by Mrs V Magowan and Miss N Robinson, Duke of Edinburgh's Award Leaders

Last week, several of our ‘Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award 2024’ cohort made their way across to London to attend a celebratory event at Buckingham Palace. The sun was shining, all were dressed in their finery and there was a real feeling of celebration and achievement in the air.

Kirsten O’Kane, Sam Crosslé and Kristen Quirk all attended on the Friday, while Erin Dawson - hindered by a tricky exam date - followed on Monday.

This was a momentous occasion for each of the students, but also for the school. It’s one thing to complete the expedition, but quite another to follow through on all the other parts of the award - the Gold award requiring at least 12 months of volunteering, 12/6 months of skills and physical activity and a 5 day, 4 night residential, away from home.

How proud we are to be able to see our first group of Gold students actually completing the award, collecting their badges and having their hard work celebrated with such a special invitation. Amongst the Buckingham Palace gardens, we listened to celebrity guest speakers share inspirational stories, played lawn games, drank tea and ate cupcakes.

At 4pm, the national anthem was played, and HRH Prince Edward - The Duke of Edinburgh - appeared on the Palace steps to address the audience, before moving through the gardens to speak with award holders. The whole day was topped off with a group meal, where students, parents and staff were able to gather together to share stories and experiences, and to celebrate with each other.

Students also have the option to head to Holyrood or Hillsborough, and we look forward to seeing pictures and hearing stories from those who attend these separate celebrations. No doubt there will continue to be similar celebrations over the coming months and years, as more and more of our original cohort get their awards signed off and completed. The Gold expedition continues this year, with a new group of students heading over to the Lake District in July. We are very much looking forward to it, and hope this weather holds!