Mrs Tompkins, our Duke of Edinburgh Centre Manager and Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award Coordinator, attended the Annual Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Presentation evening at Chelmsford Cathedral. New Hall School is one of several centres whose licence comes under Essex County Council and this presentation evening celebrates students who have successfully completed the Gold Award over the past year. The numbers at New Hall have been increasing in recent years with an average of 20 students signing up each year (around 20% of the year group).

New Hall alumni from the 2020, 2021 and 2022 cohorts attended the evening. It was a pleasure to celebrate their success, particularly as we were the largest group represented that evening. Students were presented with an Essex County Council certificate and small gift by the Deputy Chief Constable, Andrew Prophet and The High Sheriff of Essex Mr Nick Alston.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme at New Hall School is a highly successful co-curricular activity and provides students with opportunities to develop leadership, organisation, discipline, collaboration and resilience, along with many other personal skills. These skills transfer across to academic endeavours within the classroom, giving students a stand-out personal brand that employers and further/higher educational institutions are looking for, making this a highly worthwhile co-curricular activity for all students willing to take up the challenge.

12 New Hall alumni with the HM Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst