INTREPID youngsters have secured a commendation by royal appointment after completing the first stage of their Duke of Edinburgh Award.
Five students from The King’s Academy, Coulby Newham, celebrated after being presented with the coveted bronze award in a scheme which is widely regarded as the world’s leading achievement programme for young people.
Year 11 students Chloe Graham, Kelsey Graham, Solomon Harrison, Eve Smith and Year 12 pupil Amy Taylor joined fellow Year 11s Tom Livesey, Samuel Hogg, Summer Robinson and Catherine Race, who achieved their bronze awards earlier in the year.
They were the first students from the academy to achieve the award, which is a new initiative for The King's coordinated by facilities manager Andy Carr.
He said: “To complete the first stage of the award scheme the students needed to provide evidence of accomplishment in four areas including skill improvement and physical activity as well as working within the community and completing an expedition.
“They’ve gained so much from all of the individual experiences, from finding their independence to working as a team and helping others, all of which are invaluable skills which they can apply in everything they do in the future.”
To secure the bronze award the students took part in horse riding, map reading and navigation skills, volunteering with the British Heart Foundation, care of the elderly, a ceremonial foot drill, mentoring younger people and gym work.
They also completed a two day expedition visit to the North York Moors and Upper Teesdale.
Amy Taylor, 16, of Easterside, has now enrolled on the silver award programme alongside Chloe Graham, Kelsey Graham, Tom Livesey, Samuel Hogg, Summer Robinson and Catherine Race.
“I thought that the awards programme sounded like fun and I knew that taking part would be looked on favourably by universities when I apply for courses in the future,” said Amy.
“It’s made me a lot more independent and also encouraged me to take on more responsibility around the house like looking after my brother and helping my mum with the cooking and cleaning.
“I had a great time, especially on the expedition, which I think has influenced my younger brother to take his bronze award next year.”