SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES: Congratulations to Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme successes

YOUNG people from across South Somerset gathered at the Octagon Theatre in Yeovil last week to be congratulated on their Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme successes.

The presentation took place on Thursday (February 12, 2015) where DoE entrants were rewarded for their efforts with their bronze, silver and gold awards.

More than 500 people attended the event and enjoyed the entertaining speeches and video clips contributed by the award centres involved.

The DoE scheme has a large number of centres in South Somerset – 3-Dimensions, Ansford Academy, Bruton School for Girls, Chilton Cantelo School, Fairmead Academy, Holyrood Academy, Huish Academy, King Ina Explorer Scouts, King’s School Bruton, Preston School Academy, Seavington Pony Club, Sexey’s School, South Somerset Open Award Centre, Stanchester Academy, The Park School, Wadham Academy, Westfield Academy and Yeovil College.

Not all of the centres were represented at the presentation ceremony, but organisers still congratulated those who could not attend.

Somerset County Council’s Duke of Edinburgh Award manager, Jeff Brown, said: “We believe that becoming an award holder is a great achievement and should be marked with a special celebration.”

Music was provided by Hannah Shivlock and Rebecca, students from The Park School in Yeovil, on piano and clarinet.

The guest speaker was adventurer, author and motivational speaker Dave Cornthwaite.

He has completed ten non-motorised journeys each over 1,000 miles including skateboarding across Australia, paddleboarding the Mississippi, swimming the Lower Missouri and pedalling a tandem from Vancouver to Vegas!

He has completed 11 journeys so far and raises funds for the SayYesMore project which aims to help people to become involved in adventurous activities.

The South Somerset Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Committee would like to thank the following for making the presentation ceremony possible: All participants for successfully achieving their awards; all of the Duke of Edinburgh Award leaders, families, friends, volunteers and Cheryl Lingard for their encouragement and constant support; Dave Cornthwaite; Park School musicians; the Octagon Theatre; Somerset County Council; and South Somerset District Council.

Since March 2014, there have been 226 bronze completions in South Somerset, 28 at silver level and 19 at gold level.

PHOTO - RIGHT: Members of Seavington Pony Club.

The participants will all have taken part in sustained activity and will have notched up in excess of 5,000 hours of voluntary work and will have been developing skills and physical activities.

They all complete unaccompanied expeditions in increasingly more difficult countryside as they progress through the levels.

For more information about the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme in South Somerset or volunteering – please contact South Somerset’s DofE Field Officer, Steve Marsh by email SMarsh@somerset.gov.uk.

PHOTO - ABOVE: Chilton Cantelo School.

PHOTO - ABOVE: Fairmead Academy.

PHOTO - ABOVE: Holyrood Academy.

PHOTOS: All of the photos were taken during the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme presentation at the Octagon Theatre in Yeovil on Thursday, February 12, 2015. Thank you to Steve Marsh for the photos.

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