Thanks to Suzanne and Alan for this latest report, in their own words. Ed
Westridge Community Learning Centre was the venue for a recent Duke of Edinburgh’s (DoE) Award Presentation Evening. A total of 16 young Islanders achieved success in the three standards – Gold, Silver and Bronze.
Guests were welcomed by Carol Taverner the DofE Facilitator for the Isle of Wight who also hosted the event. Awards were presented by Cllr Richard Priest, cabinet member for Children’s Services.
Certificates to follow
Four Gold Award holders received their badges only, as their certificates will be presented at a later date at St. James’ Palace, London in the presence of either the Duke of Edinburgh or the Duke of Wessex.
500th Ceremony
Just a few days before this all Island presentation, the Duke of Edinburgh attended his 500th Awards Ceremony.
These take place not only in London but at various venues across the UK and recently selected Gold Award holders from the 1950s to the present day met with the Duke to celebrate this fact.
Gold Awards
Everyone undertaking the Awards has to complete four sections: Volunteering, Skills, Physical Activity and an expedition and for the Gold Award a residential stay is also completed.
James Alder, who was based at Sandown Bay Academy, travelled to the Lake District for his expedition. Despite a bad fall en-route he persevered and completed the hike and overnight camping.
Laura Spooner, who worked through the Newport Open Award Centre (NOAC) completed her hike on Dartmoor. Additionally, she travelled to Zambia where she worked in school workshops.
Emma Snow (NOAC) volunteered for Youth Service working with a Rainbow Unit- the youngest section of Girlguiding. She also undertook canoeing from Ross-on-Wye and now due to her experiences has a paid post in the Island Youth Service.
Ella Symons is the first Gold holder to have come through via the Island Youth Water Activities Centre. (IYWAC)Ella undertook a sailing expedition and was part of a 5 member team that travelled a route from Cowes-Cherbourg-Sark-Alderney and back to Cowes.
Silver Awards
In the Silver section Beth Cordon and Laylla Stanley from the Innovation VI Form College, Newport completed expeditions in the South Downs and New Forest.
Josiah Coster (St. Catherine’s School) travelled from London to collect his award.
Alice Chambers (Cowes OAC) did her expedition in the New Forest where for her project, which is completed in addition to the actual hike, she studied the incidence of litter in the environment.
Ben Symons (IYWAC) completed a sailing expedition and volunteered with the RNLI.
Bronze Awards
There were seven young people achieving Bronze standard. Debbie Chessell, Olivia Harris and Jack Hoff entered via the NOAC and volunteered with CPRE.
A trio from Carisbrooke College, Jake Gibbs, Rowen Tweedy and Harris Ward formed part of an expedition team with their hike/camping falling on the hottest weekend of the summer on 2013 this was such a contrast to Rowen’s snow clearing which she undertook as part of her volunteering. Victoria Wild (South Wight OAC) completed the Bronze recipients.
Hayley Meredith Operations Officer for DofE SE Region reiterated how important it is to have a mention on DofE on CVs before congratulating all those concerned.
Image: © Suzanne and Alan Whitewood
