A GROUP of pupils from St John’s in Marlborough have just completed their Duke of Edinburgh course.

St John’s Principal Mrs Nicky Edmondson met a group of pupils in Years 10-13 to present them with their awards on completion of the D of E scheme.

More than 100 pupils at St John’s have completed their awards in the current academic year at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels.

Mrs Edmondson said: “I am very proud of you all for achieving your DofE award, and I am sure that the skills you have gained will be of value in your future lives.”

The Duke of Edinburgh Award is open to all St John’s students in Year 9 and upwards, with the Gold Award offered to sixth form pupils. More than 160 of the current Year 9 pupils who have recently signed up for the Bronze Award are heading off on practice expeditions over the May bank holiday weekend, some in the Pewsey Vale and others in Gloucestershire.

Richard Moore, St John’s DofE leader, said: “We work closely with BXM, a DofE expedition company that is able to accommodate larger expedition groups than we could manage ourselves, therefore allowing us to focus on supporting students in the other areas of the DofE without having to restrict the number of participants.”

In addition to an expedition, DofE participants are required to take part in volunteering, a physical activity and develop a skill. Many students volunteer in local charity shops, or assist with uniform groups and after-school clubs.

If any voluntary groups are able to offer volunteering opportunities to students they are asked to contact Mrs Kate Hunter, DofE administrator at St John’s by emailing khunter@stjohns.wilts.sch.uk.