Duke of Edinburgh News Update

Y12-13-Gold Group

 We are very proud that 13 of our Gold group have completed their Qualifying Gold expedition successfully. They have walked through the Brecon Beacons in some difficult conditions with hot weather and extreme challenges of the difficult terrains and the heavy rucksacks. They worked as a group to face all the elements thrown at them.

 

Y10-Bronze Award Walking Expedition

Our 30 Y10 students have successfully completed their Practice Expedition around Broxbourne area. The weather was kind to them and they followed a route they planned. They are now ready for their Qualifying Expedition which is going to take place Friday 13^th to Saturday 14^th July around Kings Langley.

Y10 – Bronze Award Expedition Canoeing

This year, Stanborough had the first Bronze Award Canoeing Expedition. We used an Approved Activity Provider, Stanborough Park Watersports Centre, who trained and assessed the expedition. For the Practice Expedition, the students canoed around the Lea Valley area, with a en-route stop to Lea Valley centre where they saw top athletes training. They camped in Broxbourne on an island between a lake and the river at the Herts Young Mariners Base.  The Qualifying Expedition was from Bedford to Huntingdon and they camped in St Neots, also by the river. During both expeditions they learnt to cope with locks, other boats and discovered some stunning sites by the rivers. The weather was brilliant for such expeditions and the students had a fantastic time.

The Royal Visit

To crown a very successful Duke of Edinburgh year, Stanborough School took part in a Royal Visit. Our students presented our Gold and Bronze Canoeing Expeditions to HRH Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex. The Prince spoke to our students who explained what they need to do and how much they have benefited from doing the Duke of Edinburgh Award at school. Each school had to nominate two students to have lunch with the Royal Party; Caitlin Watts and Josephine Clayton were selected to sit at the Prince’s table. This was an amazing opportunity for our students who behaved in an impeccable manner and impressed many by their maturity and enthusiasm. Thank you to Mr Braybrook for coming with us and Caitlin Watts (Gold Award and DofE Ambassador), Jasmine Gaydon (Gold Award), Charlotte Kerr, Charlie Earnshaw, James Hardy, Josephine Clayton (Bronze Award Canoeing) and Luc Elliott (Gold Award Holder) for their participation to enable the event to be successful.