This week we have celebrated the achievements of students who have been doing the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award here at Heart of England. It was a great event and there was much to celebrate in what our young people can strive for and accomplish.
At the special ceremony, students from last year’s programmes received their certificates and the gold award students presented on their summer canoeing expedition experiences. Each student was called up to receive their certificates, a very significant moment which acknowledges the work, dedication and application of the students over an extended period.
During the proceedings our Principal Ms Hughes-Williams gave a speech in which she talked about the way that the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award transcends limits and changes us and how the award demonstrates proof of determination in action. “The phrase youth without limits is resonant of everything we believe in at Heart of England School and reflects our own core values as a community of learners,” the Principal said.
We have been running the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award at Heart of England for many years and the numbers of students taking part has been growing. We offer bronze, silver and gold awards and we have a dedicated team who work with students and their parents/carers to help them realise their potential.
Mr Nance, who oversees the scheme runs training sessions in the evenings and accompanies the students on expeditions and weekend training. “There are more bronze students than ever before, with an incredible eleven groups of students,” said Mr Nance. “We delivered our first gold expedition programme since 2018 and continue to welcome new members of both the admin and volunteer teams. I am proud and incredibly grateful to the team for everything they have enabled us to do.”
Applauding the successes of our students at Heart of England is a very important part of our school life and we have much to thank the students, parents/carers and volunteers for in creating these opportunities to celebrate.
“At Heart of England School we are about the future and looking at our students here tonight I know it’s going to be in good hands,” concluded Ms Hughes-Williams.