Last year saw another busy schedule for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme with 32 pupils signing up to do direct entry Gold and 18 signing up to do Silver as a joint venture with St Patrick’s Academy.  The meetings took place most weeks on a Tuesday afternoon with all pupils showing great commitment.

The first overnight hike took place in October for the Gold group as they had no previous experience of a night in a tent under the stars.  Although the route was only 15 km some pupils found the experience tough and decided D of E was not form them.  The meetings continued over the winter with pupils planning practice and qualifying expeditions and learning camp craft.

After Easter the Silver group had a two day practice expedition in the Mournes while the Gold had a three day practice also in the Mournes.  This as always proved very beneficial with pupils applying what they had been taught in the classroom to real situations.  It also highlighted the fact that hiking is both a physical and mental activity.

The Silver qualifying expedition took place in June but due to bad weather had to be postponed till September.  In the end 17 pupils completed the expedition section of the Award.  They are continuing to work on the other sections of physical, skill and volunteering planning to have the Award completed by this Easter.

At the end of June the Gold participants having completed their AS level examinations left for their expedition in South West Donegal.  The three teams had a challenging but rewarding expedition with only 15 students successful in completing this part of the Award.  They now too must work on the other aspects of the Award which as well as including  sections of physical, skill and volunteering includes a residential where they must stay away from home for 5 days, 4 nights with people they do not know.

It has been another successful year and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff who volunteers their time to help in the smooth running of the Award.