It has been another successful year for Duke of Edinburgh students at Loreto. Twenty seven upper sixth students have successfully completed their Gold Award this year and are looking forward to a trip to St James’ Palace in London to receive their award from a member of the Royal Family.

Over the past two weeks eighty seven lower sixth students have been completing their Silver DofE Award expeditions, conquering the peaks of Edale and Castleton.

Rather unusually, given the climactic conditions that generally prevail in an English summer, the sun blazed down and they had to endure some stifling conditions, whilst carrying their equipment for the whole three days and being self-sufficient, cooking all food on their trangia stoves. An unexpected incident saw the group finding a wallet up in the hills, which they traced back to a mightily relieved and grateful hill walker, who had lost it the previous day. The groups used their navigation skills to ensure they didn’t get lost and improved their leadership and team-work, resulting in successfully passing their expedition section.