Going for Gold: DofE Teams Triumph in Summer Expedition

Over four demanding days, all four teams paddled their way to success, spending long hours canoeing towards their well-deserved Gold achievement.

While the expedition is designed to test resilience, this year’s greatest challenge came from something we rarely worry about in the UK: the sun! With temperatures soaring and the sun beating down relentlessly, students followed the Aussie-inspired rules of Slip, Slap, Slop—and added their teachers’ wise advice to Sip and Splash. It was a dramatic contrast to the freezing conditions of their practice expedition, but each team powered through rocks, rapids, and fatigue to reach their final destination of Monmouth, ready to begin their summer break on a high.

Part of the expedition involves a short presentation to their instructors. This year’s creative offerings included a vlog, a rap, an interpretive dance, and even an “enlightenment chat” (proving that hairdryers and eyelash pencils aren’t essential survival gear!).

 The staff DofE team were hugely impressed by the students’ resilience, teamwork, humour, and impressive pasta-eating capacity. Congratulations to all!”
Wendy Davies, Teacher of DofE and Biology Technician

While the expedition is complete, current 6.2 students continue to work on other aspects of the award, including volunteering and skills development. Students have to do an hour a week in each section over a period of time ranging from six to 18 months. However, they do not all have to be done at the same time, and students can continue working to complete their award up to the age of 24 .  

For any 6.1 students inspired to take on the Duke of Edinburgh Gold challenge, please email Katherine Wright ASAP to get involved.