D of E Gold Awards Ceremony at Buckingham Palace

Being invited to Buckingham Palace to celebrate the achievement of finally passing our DofE Gold Award was a great way to recognise the effort and determination we had shown over this period of time. It was delightful to talk with friends and family about our experiences -  both shared and individual - and meet other Gold Award holders at the event. There were many activities to get stuck into at the palace itself and there was no shortage of cupcakes for us to feast upon either. The day was also filled with several engaging speeches from a talented selection of speakers including Alex Scott MBE, Victoria Derbyshire, Larry Lamb and many more, sharing their own personal connections to the award. Polly, a fellow award holder, was given the chance to talk about how she found the experience as a whole and spoke eloquently regarding the award’s profound impact on her life. The Duke of Edinburgh himself, of course, delivered a compelling speech and personally talked to many of the award holders in the crowd, which was an incredible opportunity for many of us to speak on the adventures we have been on as a result of this program.

The event really put into scale how far we had all come on our respective DofE journeys. I felt an overwhelming sense of pride as I walked around the palace grounds, as I’m sure did many of my peers, reflecting on how much I had accomplished on my own as well as with my closest friends. To any students who are reading this and are considering getting involved - I would highly recommend you take this once in a lifetime opportunity to build and expand on a huge range of skills while making some unforgettable memories along the way. A huge thanks to Mr Sharp for facilitating our time with the DofE Award, from Bronze to Gold, and pushing us out of our comfort zones to improve our confidence, personal growth and adaptability.

Writer & photos: Divit (Y13)
Editor: Ben (Y12)