By Miss Sadler (Science Teacher and DofE Bronze Coordinator)
A huge congratulations to our 2024 alumnae Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award recipients - Alice Toone, Izzy Harrison, Izzy Jackson, Alex Gentry, Emily Pinkney and Sienna Macfarlane, who received their awards at Buckingham Palace on Friday 9th May.
The event was hosted by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and took place in the beautiful gardens of Buckingham Palace. The award holders had the opportunity to listen to talks by inspirational speakers such as Alex Scott, Amy Dowden, Victoria Derbyshire, Larry Lamb, Jake Jarman and Mandy Hickson. They were also able to enjoy the garden surroundings, participate in garden games and activities, and make the most of the special day.
Earning the Gold Award is a significant achievement for these young people as it signifies the successful completion of four sections of the award: physical, volunteering, skill, and residential. Completing the Gold award requires a minimum of 12 months, demonstrating the dedication and commitment of these young individuals.
Emily Pinkney reflected: “I thoroughly enjoyed the DofE Gold Award Celebration event and felt incredibly proud to have achieved the award. I was in awe after listening to many inspirational people and I felt extremely privileged to have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore the gardens of Buckingham Palace.
“A particular highlight of mine was listening to Olympian rugby player Heather Fisher speak about resilience and her journey to relearn how to walk again after her spinal injury. While not quite on the same scale - it reminded me of how my team had to show resilience during our Gold Expedition, especially when I got us lost on the final day and everything seemed to be going wrong. The DofE programme has shaped me in so many ways - from the unforgettable memories on expeditions and the residential to the skills I’ve developed through volunteering. It’s challenging at times, but I honestly would recommend the DofE to any young person.”
Read more about timescales on the DofE website here.
