Private School News

Caterham School Student Achieves Duke of Edinburgh Gold in Rapid Time

Caterham School student, Eleanor Budge (Lower Sixth), was presented with her Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award certificate at the Tandridge Award ceremony on Monday 22 March.

Eleanor may have set a record in completing the Gold Award so quickly. She was a Direct Entrant to the Award Scheme at Gold level and the longest section of the Award was Volunteering was completed just 18 months to the day and just in time to make it to the ceremony. Eleanor is planning to pursue a career in medicine and so she was pleased to be able to volunteer at Tillgate Ward, East Surrey Hospital.

Her Skill has been to continue to develop her singing, and she is presently awaiting the results of her Grade 8 singing examination, while she has enjoyed learning Latin American and Ballroom dancing for her Physical section and reached Bronze level in all ten dances.

With university not too far ahead, a week-long course in the preparation of healthy three course meals using inexpensive ingredients seemed a fitting way of completing the Residential section of the Award.

Eleanor said: ‘’The expeditions in the Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains of Wales were the toughest part of the Award but the sense of achievement made the experience worth while.’’

Headmaster Julian Thomas said: ’Eleanor is a credit to the School in so many different ways; her all-round efforts are much appreciated. I am delighted, but not surprised, that she managed to complete the Gold Award in record time. The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme is thriving at Caterham School. It is just one of the many co-curricular activities that we offer pupils. It is popular because it is enjoyable and challenging, whilst remaining one of the best programmes for the personal development of young people.’

Photo: Eleanor Budge receives her Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award from Mr Geoffrey Marlow, Chairman of Surrey County Council.