Duke of Edinburgh gold awards for two Grantown pupils

Eighteen youngsters from the Highlands recently attended the national Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award ceremony in Edinburgh to be presented with their awards.

They included two local recipients twins Henry and George Kerr, who both attended Grantown Grammar School until 2018.

Headteacher Claire MacGonigal is delighted that the pair have completed the prestigious award.
She said: "Both boys made a very positive and memorable impression on the school.

Henry was dux and they were both part of the Junior GB Downhill Mountain Biking Team.

"I’m so pleased that they’ve managed to complete their Gold DoE. They started the process with GGS but hadn’t quite got the expedition part completed by the time that they left.

"It takes real determination to have attained their Gold award because there have been so many set backs and cancellations due to Covid.

"Both Henry and George were not only hard working but their escapades at school are definitely remembered.

"The memory of George crowd-surfing in an inflatable dinghy at the S1–S3 Welcome Disco when he was in S6 still brings me out in a cold sweat.

"I wish them huge congratulations and all the very best in the future."

Highland Council convener Bill Lobban said: “Our congratulations to all the 18 young people who have received their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

"Completing their expeditions, skills, physical challenges and community volunteering activities during a pandemic has been no mean feat and I congratulate them for their excellent achievements.

"I hope that they all take their experiences with them into adulthood and continue to contribute to their local communities wherever they live in the future.”

Steve Walsh, Chief Executive of High Life Highland said: "We are very pleased to support the delivery of the Duke of Edinburgh awards in

the region on behalf of Highland Council.

"It takes a lot of commitment, hard work and time to achieve a Gold Award so those receiving these awards should be extremely proud.

"I know the skills they have learned will help them as they find future employment and educational opportunities.”

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