Bravo for Wycombe Abbey’s Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme
26 June 2024 - All
Girls’ participation in the Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Award Scheme has been a staple of Wycombe Abbey life for many years. Each year, roughly 90 pupils complete the Bronze Award, and 15 pupils opt to participate in the Gold Award. The scheme is hugely beneficial as it teaches pupils resilience, leadership and teamwork through the different sections of physical, skills, volunteering and residential (at gold level). They gain confidence and learn about their strengths; it is always great to see those who take part grow so much through the program.
Mr Adrian Porter has led the team and the girls as Duke of Edinburgh Co-ordinator for 14 years at Wycombe Abbey and 33 years in total running the Scheme in other schools. He will retire this summer after 26 years at the School. We would like to thank Adrian for the work he has done both for the DofE Award at School and during his time as Head of Computing.
On his retirement, Mr Porter said, ‘This is my last DofE report as I am retiring at the end of this academic year. It has been so nice to see the enthusiasm of the girls over the years, and we have had some of the most memorable times on the expeditions. We have a loyal band of staff who have helped over the years, and I am very grateful for all their support. This year, Ms Strange, our Bronze Co-ordinator, will hand over the role to Mr Wong. She has done a sterling job of running the Bronze Award and moving around the timings and structure so it works more effectively. Mr Haughton has been our logistics support for 13 years and is always ready on expeditions with a spare tent pole just when it’s needed. We wish him well with his retirement. Mr Simonot is moving to another school but has been a great addition to the DofE team, particularly looking after our Gold assessed girls on expeditions. I wish Miss Clarke the best wishes as she becomes Duke of Edinburgh Manager.’
Gold Award Expedition
Over the Easter break, a group of Sixth Form girls and several staff travelled to Snowdonia, Wales, for one week to complete our Gold DofE expedition. Our first full day began with a long walk around the area as we practised our map and compass skills in preparation for the expedition. We climbed Dolbadarn Castle, seeing beautiful views of Llanberis Lake and the slate mountains before heading to the National Slate Museum. The day finished with finalising routes, practising putting up a tent and collecting group kit for the practice expedition. Over the four days of walking and three nights of camping, we faced many challenges, such as rainy nights, inescapable bogs and unmarked paths where we had to follow our compass rather than a clear track. Nonetheless, our overall experience was filled with resilience and many happy memories. Having completed our Gold DofE expedition, we returned to the Youth Hostel with wide smiles, renewed energy and a huge sense of relief and achievement. Being able to shower properly, sleep in an actual bed and eat a hot meal cooked for us felt like paradise. The overall experience was extremely rewarding, fulfilling and character-building, and we built long-lasting friendships with amazing memories. We would certainly encourage everyone to challenge themselves by doing Gold DofE – as quoted by our supervisor, ‘Gold DofE gives you a sense of superiority over those who have not done it!’
Tia and Rachel
LVI
Bronze Award
Achieving my Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award has been a remarkable journey filled with challenges, growth, and unforgettable experiences. One of the highlights of the Award was the expedition, where my team and I navigated through the Chiltern Hills, armed with maps, compasses, and an adventurous spirit. The arduous trek was filled with steep inclines and unpredictable weather, but the camaraderie and the stunning views made every step worthwhile. Setting up camp in a torrent of rain and cooking our meals over a portable stove taught us resilience and teamwork, essential skills that I will carry forward in all my endeavours.
Beyond the expedition, the Bronze Award enabled me to explore new horizons and develop diverse skills. Last September, I started learning kickboxing as my new sport for the Physical section of the Award. With each session, I honed my strength, agility, and discipline, progressing through various gradings and earning five belts that marked my improvement and dedication. Now an exhilarating weekly activity, kickboxing has enhanced my physical fitness and instilled a newfound sense of confidence and determination. Thanks to the Duke of Edinburgh Award, I have undoubtedly discovered my love for kickboxing. In the realm of the Skills section, my dedication to playing the flute has culminated in significant achievements. Having set goals to participate in more competitions – I won Gold at the CUIMF International Music Competition this year! Each performance was a testament to the countless hours of practice, and sharing the joy of music with others made the hard work even more worthwhile. Music has always been a sanctuary for me, and these successes have reinforced my love for the flute and my commitment to mastering it. To fulfil the Volunteering section, I completed my Level 2 Sports Leaders Qualification, an achievement that opened many opportunities for community involvement and personal growth. One of the most rewarding experiences was hosting a district netball tournament; this endeavour enhanced my organisational and leadership skills and provided a platform to engage with my peers and community members. Volunteering my time at squad training sessions, netball matches, and swimming galas has further allowed me to give back to the local community in meaningful ways. These experiences were profoundly gratifying, as I witnessed firsthand the positive impact of my efforts. I have learnt vital lessons about empathy, teamwork, and responsibility by devoting time and focus to assisting others’ needs before my own. Through these activities, I have gained a deeper understanding of the importance of community service and contributing to the wellbeing of others. The skills and insights I have acquired through my volunteering work have enriched my personal growth and reinforced my commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of those around me.
Completing my Bronze Award has been a transformative experience. Each section: Expedition, Physical, Skills, and Volunteering has taught me invaluable lessons and helped shape me into a more resilient and well-rounded individual. I am immensely proud of what I have achieved and look forward to taking on the Gold Award in the future.
Catherine
LV
Keep up to date with further news from Wycombe Abbey on our social channels.