b'THE ELLESMERIAN DofE Gold Ellesmere College is the largest single contributor in A group of past and present students from Ellesmere CollegeShropshire to the DofE scheme as every student has the attended Buckingham Palace on Friday 20th May 2022 to receiveopportunity to go through it as part of their co-curricular their gold Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) awards.activities - directly or via the CCF (Combined Cadet Force) -177Army, Navy or RAF, to encourage the development of key life Fifteen current and former students were among the 10,000 DofEskills, leadership, team building, confidence, and independence. Gold Award holders hosted over two days in the beautiful Buckingham Palace Gardens for inspirational speeches and funSince it was launched, about six million people have taken part in the activities.DofE scheme and nearly three million awards have been presented. The scheme was launched by the Duke of Edinburgh in 1956 and has The Gold Award Celebration at the Palace was hosted by His Royalgrown to the point today where it is taken up by more than 10,000 Highness, The Earl of Wessex and Forfar (Prince Edward) and manyinstitutions nationally each year, including schools, prisons, and youth other well-known Olympians, celebrities, adventurers, and inspirationalclubs. It enjoys the support of more than 3,000 partner organisations speakers were there to share their own stories regarding careers, lifeand some 40,000 adult volunteers. goals, and extreme physical endurance challenges that they have faced and overcome.Jim Underhill, Gold Duke of Edinburgh Leader at Ellesmere College, commented on the awards: This was a wonderful day for all our Due to the impact of the pandemic, this celebration event has beenstudents who took part in the scheme and obtained the Gold Award postponed a number of times, but it was great to see it finally return- it was an experience to enjoy and will live with those who took part and an opportunity for our most recent leavers and pupils to comefor the rest of their lives. We are immensely proud of the together and celebrate their DofE Gold success, 2-3 years after theyachievements of all our Gold Award winners. They work hard to completed the award. ensure they complete their academic studies but the DofE Award adds another set of life skills to help them in their future careers. The weather tried its best in parts to affect the day, but those DofEHeadmaster of Ellesmere College, Brendan Wignall, said: The scheme pupils have been through far worse weather on their expedition trailsis an asset to the growth and development of our young people and didnt allow it to dampen their enthusiasm for this day ofacross the country. Taking part strengthens character and provides a celebration.unique perspective and insight for those involved. It is amazing to think that this scheme helps to prepare nearly half a million young Those collecting their awards included: Sarala Chatterjee, Veritypeople for life and work across the country every year. We value it Buglass, Charlie Munro, William Mullock, Will Davies, Tom Keay,very highly here at Ellesmere College.Henriette Czech, Charlie-Ann Williams, Matthew Manton, Lavinia Mottershead, Emily Rose Coupe, Josie Evans, Dan Samarji, PhilippaOur thanks go to HRH The Earl of Wessex for hosting this Bowers and James Knowles.spectacular event, and everyone who joined us to celebrate.'