A record number of Teesdale students are working towards completing their Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE), allowing them to gain personal skills that can be used throughout their lives.
Just 1% of students in the north east participate in DofE each year. We are fortunate at Teesdale that far more of our students are supported to take part.
DofE is a programme for 14-24-year olds which helps young people develop personal and work-based skills and encourages them to give back to their communities.
To provide this amazing opportunity we have partnered with Teesdale Community Resources Hub who provide the opportunities students need to complete the award. Through working together with the Hub we have been able to make participation more affordable.
Josh Mawer, Edward Sabey, Henry Wood, William Backes, Olivia Bainbridge, Daniel Gaskin, Matthew Hodgkinson, Kara Hunter, Jonathan Proud, Holly Teward and Oliver Welsby have all completed their silver level, which has included volunteering over the past six months.
Seven of our students, Scarlett Jones, Nathan Mawer, Thomas Monti, Thomas Cuthbert, Rhys Foster, Craig Hepburn and Kirsty McLachlan have completed their bronze level.
Heather McLachlan was the first of our Year 13 to achieve her gold level. As part of her challenge, Heather undertook a 10-day tall ships expedition and will be formally presented with her award at Holyrood Palace in July.
Sixth form students, Josh Mawer, Edward Sabey and Kara Hunter are currently working towards completing gold level and are planning a 4-day expedition to take place next year.
During the Easter holidays our new Year 9 students will be undertaking their expedition training and we have already had more sign-ups for an even bigger cohort to begin in September.
Well done everyone!