June 15, 2023

Former pupil success

Congratulations to former pupil, James A (Newlands, 2022), who just received his Gold award certificate at Buckingham Palace. You can read below what he wrote about the experience and some memories of his Gold canoeing expedition in 2021.

James joined NSB in 2015 and followed his two older brothers into the DofE award scheme. 

“On Friday 19th May I travelled down to London to celebrate the achievement of completing my Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.  The celebration was held in Buckingham Palace Gardens and was a very special day, with the warm, sunny weather certainly adding to the occasion.

It was hosted by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, who addressed the attendees. I also heard a range of insightful and inspiring speeches from Radio 1 presenter, Vick Hope, British diver, Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix and TV broadcaster and news anchor, Charlotte Hawkins. 

All the years of commitment to my Gold award had finally paid off and was worth it, especially canoeing through the freezing Highlands of Scotland, and it also allowed me to follow in my two older brothers’ footsteps, who had achieved the award before me.”