Record-breaking success for St Clement Danes Gold Award students
Congratulations to the 19 current and former students of St Clement Danes School who have successfully completed their Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award since May last year:
Simran-Lily M, Nicole L, Clementine O, Wendy V, Aydin A, Charlotte B, Sienna B, Phillip D, Oliver G, Oliver H, Esme J, Thomas K, Charlotte M, Milly O, Scarlett P, Olivia S, Ben S, Jessica S and Barnaby H.
This represents an unprecedented number of Gold Awards for our school, with three more students awaiting final approval and five others nearing completion.
On Monday 12th May, a number of our Gold Award students attended a special celebration Garden Party at Buckingham Palace. His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh was in attendance to honour the achievements of these exceptional young people. Fourteen of our students were able to attend the event this year, with the remaining students expected to be invited next year.
The palace gardens were a fitting backdrop for the occasion, beautiful and filled with like-minded young people who had embraced the challenge of the Gold Award. Inspirational speeches were delivered from a satellite stage, and guests enjoyed tea, cake, and the opportunity to explore the stunning surroundings.
Completing the Gold Award is a remarkable achievement, requiring dedication, hard work, and perseverance. Participants must complete five demanding sections, and for many, this marks the culmination of their DofE journey, having previously completed the Bronze and Silver levels.
This year’s Year 13 cohort was our largest yet, with 23 students undertaking their Gold expedition in Norway and six choosing a kayaking expedition. The Gold Award offers flexibility in terms of activities, level of challenge, and time commitments. Direct entrants must commit to at least 18 months, while those progressing from Silver must dedicate a minimum of 12 months. All Gold participants are required to complete at least 12 months of volunteering within their local community.
Two current students, Thomas and Sienna, have gone above and beyond by becoming DofE Young Leaders. Their dedication has had a lasting impact on our school, as they have supported training for new participants, guided students through the eDofE system, and assisted with navigation training on expeditions.
Congratulations to all our Gold Award achievers and wish them every success in their next adventures.
