2023–24 was a very busy year for The Wallace High School with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme, with multiple groups completing their Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels. Over 150 students have had the opportunity to engage in this transformative programme, which helps them develop essential skills, grow in confidence, and contribute positively to their communities.
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What is the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award?
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, established in 1956 by Prince Philip, is a globally recognised programme aimed at young people aged 14 to 24. It encourages participants to challenge themselves across four key areas: Volunteering, Physical, Skills, and Expedition. The award is structured into three levels—Bronze, Silver, and Gold—each requiring an increased level of commitment, independence, and initiative.
The pupils select activities in each of the four sections:
- Volunteering: Students give back to their community by volunteering in local organisations, mentoring younger students, or participating in environmental projects.
- Physical: This section encourages students to improve their fitness and wellbeing through activities like team sports, running, or dance.
- Skills: Participants develop new talents or hone existing ones, ranging from music and art to coding and cooking.
- Expedition: The expedition is often a highlight for many students. They plan and undertake a challenging journey, developing navigation, teamwork, and outdoor survival skills.
At Gold level, they also complete a residential:
- Residential: Unique to the Gold level, the residential section requires students to undertake a shared activity or course away from home for five days, encouraging them to step out of their comfort zones and connect with new people.
The Journey from Bronze to Gold at Wallace High School
Bronze Award
120 Year 10 pupils started working their way through the award in 2023. Our Bronze groups completed training at school and at Ardnavalley Scout Centre to prepare them for their qualifying expedition. The groups learnt many skills, including how to read a map, how to cook on a stove outdoors, and how to set up their tents.
The qualifying expedition was a highlight for many of our Year 10 pupils, walking along the scenic North Down Coastal Route and getting to camp out at Crawfordsburn Scout Centre with their friends. The weather was on our side for the majority of our groups out on the expedition, and many of the groups headed down to the beach in the evening to complete some litter picking as part of their expedition aim.
Silver Award
Building on the Bronze experience they already had in Year 10, 23 of the Year 11 students progressed to the Silver Award this year. The Silver Award differs in the length of time each participant gives to the four sections. They also show progression with their expeditions by moving into the mountains. Our participants carry out on their training, practice expedition and qualifying expedition in the Mournes.
Gold Award
The Gold Award is the pinnacle of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme at The Wallace High School, requiring the highest level of commitment. We had one group of seven pupils choosing to undertake this mammoth task.
The Silver and Gold groups completed the majority of their training together, including day walks, practice, and qualifying expeditions in the Mourne Mountains. Unlike the Bronze groups, the weather was most certainly not on the Silver and Gold groups’ side! Their practice expedition was extremely cold and wet, with the groups having to take shelter in an old schoolhouse.
Their qualifying expedition was very nearly cancelled by Storm Kathleen. Luckily, our expedition provider, Foreman Mountaineering, came up with a solution, which saw the return to the old schoolhouse for shelter and a change of route to get them past the finish point.
Hopefully, the extreme weather hasn’t put them off too much!
The Duke of Edinburgh Coordinator, Miss Hendy, commented:
“This has been my first year as coordinator of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme at The Wallace High School, and I would like to congratulate each and every one of the pupils on their hard work and resilience throughout the year. I would also like to say a massive thank you to my fellow teachers: Mr Armstrong, Miss Cairns, Mr Cleland, Mrs Davison, Mrs Elliott, and Mrs Hawthorne. Without them, the award scheme would not have been possible. I hope that going forward each pupil feels fully supported throughout their journey, sets out and achieves their goals, and they all feel empowered to succeed.”
Join the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Programme at Wallace High
The new academic year’s award scheme has launched for those pupils currently in Years 10, 11, 13, and 14, and all parents should have received information via ParentMail.
So, whether you are just starting with the Bronze Award or looking to achieve the prestigious Gold Award, The Wallace High School is here to support and guide you every step of the way. Join us on this incredible journey of discovery, challenge, and growth.
#Commitment #Opportunity #Respect
You can find out more information about the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme via the link below:
Last modified: September 18, 2024
