Last summer, 35 Year 12 students embarked on a gruelling test of endurance in the Brecon Beacons. Four days and three nights of intrepid expeditioning later, and they had finally completed the last part of their Gold DofE journey, which is organised by the school.

However, this does not automatically mean that the students had finished their entire Award. In order to achieve this, they needed to do 18 months selflessly giving up their time and volunteering for others, 12 months of keeping active with a physical activity of their choosing and six months of learning a new skill or further developing a current one. On top of all of this, Gold DofE Participants must also undertake a five-day (four-night) residential experience with people they don’t know, which they have organised themselves, and which accomplishes something worthwhile.

It gives me great pleasure, as DofE manager, to confirm that, whilst simultaneously conquering their Sixth Form studies, five students in Year 13 have completed this monumental list of tasks (which they technically have until their 25th birthday to complete!) and have officially completed their Gold DofE Award. To have managed to fit all of this in before the end of Year 13 is an exceptional achievement.

The students have been invited to Buckingham Palace to be presented with their certificates and badges by a member of the Royal Family, and I look forward to seeing the photos of this exciting occasion.

Congratulations once again to Craig, Bavin, Shanjai, Prince and Shanjeev. Well done!

Mr T Elwood