During the last week of Summer Term, many of our Sixth Form and Third Form students dug out their hiking boots to complete their assessed Duke of Edinburgh award expeditions
The Duke of Edinburgh Award is still a relatively new addition to Bloxham School, but we have been delighted to see its popularity escalate over the past few years, with over 70 students achieving their Bronze and Gold Awards at the end of the summer term.
From last year’s Sixth Form cohort, no less than 22 students are awaiting their turn to go and be presented with their Gold Award at St James’ Palace, which is a hugely exciting event and a testament to the hard work they put in to earn these awards. As well as this, 53 of our younger students are celebrating gaining their Bronze Award, with both levels having taken part in their assessed expeditions at the end of the Summer Term. Our Third Form students headed to Exmoor for a two-day expedition, which saw them splitting into groups to navigate themselves through a’45km route. Our Sixth Form students were divided up into two trips, with one group heading to the Lake District to complete their trek, and the other exploring Dartmoor. These groups found themselves covering an average of 120km over the four days of their expeditions – an impressive feat when they are completely reliant on themselves and their group.
The benefits of taking part in this voluntary, extra-curricular activity cannot be underestimated. Not only is DofE a strong addition to add to any students’ CV, the opportunity to work closely with others in a team, the self-reliance, the self-motivation and the skills that are developed are all key lessons to be learned and practiced.
This year’s Duke of Edinburgh cohort is looking equally as strong, with almost all Third Form students set to begin working on their Bronze Award this year, and 48 Sixth Form students taking part in the Gold Award. Good luck to them all as they being to work towards their physical activity, skill, volunteering and the expedition sections.