Golden Day for King’s Students and OVs at Buckingham Palace

On Friday 19^th May, one current Upper Sixth student and twenty OVs attended the first Gold DofE Award Ceremony to be hosted by his Royal Highness The Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh.

Throughout the week of certificate presentations, over 9,000 young people are welcomed to Buckingham Palace Garden for two days of celebration. The gardens are transformed into a festival-style celebration, with guests enjoying the opportunity to hear from prominent DofE Award holders and take part in a range of activities.

 

Above: OVs Felicity Quiney (Br 15-22), Hazel Zurick-Ball (Ca 15-22 and Old St Alban’s)

 

Current pupil, Oscar B, and 20 OVs were invited to collect their certificates in the sun at Buckingham Palace. After their extraordinary perseverance, creativity and resilience in completing their Gold DofE, they were rewarded with the opportunity to celebrate with their loved ones in these wonderful surroundings.

Duke of Edinburgh Manager, Mr Cuthbertson added, “I am extremely proud of Oscar (U6th) and so many OVs for completing their Gold DofE. The celebrations in the iconic gardens of Buckingham Palace will have been a day to remember and I congratulate everyone for their teamwork, resilience and service to others. I hope that their experience of the DofE Scheme has provided a springboard for exciting adventures in the future and has given them confidence for their adult lives.”

 

Above: Oscar B, Upper Sixth

 

 

Above: OVs (left to right) Phoebe Conyers (K 14-21 and Old Hawfordian), Libby Evans (Cl 14-21), Natasha Beattie (W 13-20 and Old Hawfordian), Alex Ward (Cl 13-20 and Old St Alban’s)

 

OVs Thomas Long (S 12-19), Phoebe Conyers (K 14-21 and Old Hawfordian), Libby Evans (Cl 14-21), Abby Deller (K 12-19), Natasha Beattie (W 13-20 and Old Hawfordian), Edward Cosson (Br 14-21 and Old Hawfordian), Anna Fryers (Ca 16-21), Alex Ward (Cl 13-20 and Old St Alban’s), Harry Sproule (Ch 15-22 and Old Hawfordian), Faith Murray (K 13-20), Eddie James (Cr 13-20), Jonny Raggett (Ca 15-22 and Old Hawfordian), Sophie Spencer (Cl 15-22 and Old St Alban’s), Hazel Zurick-Ball (Ca 15-22 and Old St Alban’s), Felicity Quiney (Br 15-22), Sarah Warburton (W 15-22), George Jury (K 12-19), Michael Burgess (S 12-19 and Old St Alban’s), Jonathan Stratton (Cl 14-21 and Old Hawfordian) and Michael Nice (W 12-19 and Old Hawfordian) all attended and thoroughly enjoyed the chance to see one another again, this time dressed up to the nines rather than in hiking boots, wicking shirts and walking trousers.

 

Above: OVs Thomas Long and Abby Deller

OV Thomas Long described the day, “It was a special way to celebrate such a prestigious award. I hugely enjoyed my DofE experience, and would like to thank all the staff who made it possible. It was fantastic to see OVs from across four years celebrating with their friends and family.”

The entire King’s Foundation congratulates our students and OVs who received their Gold DofE certificates. Their determination and enthusiasm is an inspiration to us all.