Wednesday 11th May saw the presentation of over 150 DofE awards in Mr Glover’s final presentation evening as head of KTS DofE.
Every year there is a celebration of the effort put in by the students completing their DofE awards in the KTS school hall. This presentation evening is when students who completed their Bronze, Silver or Gold awards receive their certificates. For more than 30 years Mr Glover MBE has been in charge of this event and the whole Duke of Edinburgh’s scheme at KTS but this would be his last before retirement, although he continues in the role until August.
DofE is a nationwide award and students who have completed any of the three levels find it helps them develop vital life skills and improve their CV. Peter Westgarth is CEO of the Duke of Edinburgh’s scheme and he was the guest of honour at this year's event.
Mr Westgarth has been in charge of DofE since 2005 and has overseen a complete rebrand and the introduction of the eDofE programme. “ DofE is the world's leading achievement award,” he explained, “and it is nights like these that make it the most inspiring job I’ve ever had.”
This year 125 students achieved their Bronze award, 50 achieved their Silver and 17 students achieved their Gold Award. Francesca Rowley, who received her Gold award, said, “Doing Gold DofE is the best decision I’ve ever made. I never thought I could do Gold but it shows that if you put your mind to it you can do anything.”
The students who achieved their Gold award travelled over 50 miles in four days on their assessment expedition. “It pushed me beyond what I could normally physically do,” said Georgia Piggott. The 17 students who achieved this prestigious award had many stories to tell with one participants developing trenchfoot and another spraining their cruciate ligament in their final expedition but still finishing! Nearly all the participants said it was worth the commitment and pain.
To achieve a Gold award one has to complete a four day expedition, volunteer for an activity for 12 months, play a sport for six months and practice a skill for six months. Unlike in the lower levels one also has to complete a residential, which is a four day activity that takes place away from home.
Mr Litchfield also attended the awards evening, remarking that: “John Glover is an exceptional leader with incredible passion and enthusiasm. Thanks to John DofE is embedded in the Knights Templar School.”
Since Mr Glover has been in charge of KTS DofE nearly 3,000 students have completed at least one level and in the past 10 years alone 1,512 students have completed an award. In that same period 199 have achieved their gold award. The DofE award has gone from strength-to-strength under Mr Glover.
Peter Westgarth, speaking on the achievements of Mr Glover, said: “ It is incredible to make this happen and the way he’s done it through a group of volunteers is exceptional.
“The Knights Templar School is one of the great schools doing DofE. KTS DofE is not normal, and that is fantastic. There are fabulous people at this school and there is a great sense of community.”
After the awards had been presented Mr Glover was presented with a special award from Mr Westgarth after a montage of some of his best moments. Sarah Hammond is taking over as the head of DofE at KTS as another year of hard work begins for the students taking part.