On Monday 15 May fifteen Abbey students and alumnae celebrated achieving their Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in Buckingham Palace gardens.

In impressive spring sunshine (in contrast to some of the expeditions) there were speeches from a range of celebrities and a chance to explore the palace’s chamomile lawn, rose garden and its enclosed lake with two islands.

The Duke of Edinburgh warmly congratulated all those who had completed the award and talked about the importance of the determination and commitment to their communities they had shown. Jermaine Jenas and Ffion Davies spoke about the importance of the skills the award develops, and of the importance of using these in the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

This occasion marked the culmination of hundreds of hours of volunteering, building skills and challenges. The award holders deserve to feel deeply proud of their achievements, and Buckingham Palace in the sunshine was a wonderful place to reflect on their experiences.

We warmly recommend the programme to all future students, not just for the final, special celebration, but for the skills and experiences it helps develop.