S
ibford’s involvement in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is going
from strength to strength. This year saw two students ~ Michael (left) and Max (below) ~ completing their Gold Awards while still at Sibford (previous recent Gold winners
completed their awards after leaving school). And, having now started running our own in-house Gold expeditions, we are looking forward to more Gold Award winners in the future. Sibford DofE
co-ordinator Linda Phillips said: “The Gold expedition involves students spending four days and five nights in wild country. In the past, our Gold candidates have joined with pupils from other schools to undertake specific DofE Gold expeditions organised by outside providers. However, because Sibford Head Toby Spence is a qualified Mountain Leader, it means we now have expertise to lead our own trips in ‘wild country’, something that is rare among
Going for gold
schools. “We ran our first practice Gold Expedition in July 2017 when five students set off at the start of the summer holidays to the Lake District. The practice was very successful and the ‘real thing’ is due to take place in October half term”
In total, 2016/17 has seen 16
Sibford students achieving Bronze Award, three gaining Silver Awards and two gaining Gold. “We have had two year groups undertaking Bronze with quite a few of them having finished the award and many more very close to completion,” said Linda. “In addition to the practice Gold expedition in the Lake District, we have also run Bronze expeditions in Oxfordshire.” For Bronze and Silver, students need to complete four sections: Expedition, Volunteering, Skill and Physical. At Gold a fifth section, Residential, also has to be completed. “Students have undertaken a variety of activities for their individual sections,” said Linda.
“These have including
volunteering by running clubs in the Junior and Senior School, learning skills including music, cooking, drama and even marine biology through an on-line course, and taking part in a variety of physical activities such as swimming, rugby, athletics, freestyle gymnastics and even aerial dance. “At Gold level, student
residentials have included a space science course at King’s College London, working in a hospice for a week and doing a RYA Day Skipper qualification in Gibraltar. “The variety of activities undertaken by our students certainly shows that they embrace the Quaker values of living adventurously.” Peter Westgarth, Chief Executive of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award said: “The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award can have a very positive impact on a young person’s school and personal life, as well as their physical and mental health. “I believe that developing soft skills such as teamwork, communication, leadership and resilience are as important as academic grades to young people, parents, education specialists and potential employers. These are the skills that are not only transferrable into the workplace but also help us get through the challenges of life on a day-to-day basis.
Toby Spence pictured with students on the Gold practice expedition 44 / The Sibfordian
“Achieving a DofE Award demonstrates that a young person is willing to try something new and is committed, driven and determined. This lays a great path for their future, fostering a work ethic and attitude that many employers, colleges and universities look for in applicants.”
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