Term Four | 2025/26

It has been another session for both participants and leaders.

12 Bronze, 11 Silver, and 1 Gold participant have been involved in a wide range of activities for their respective DofE programmes, including:

• Volunteering – volunteering with Gilcomston Church; Scout Association; SMA Badminton Club; British Red Cross; NHS Grampian, SMA Languages & Literacy; SMA School Garden; ACC Gardening; Barnardo's; Active Schools; and SMA Coffee Shop.

• Physical – squash; skateboarding; netball; tennis; gym work; dance; walking; basketball; and volleyball.

• Skills – learning a language; knitting; crocheting; woodwork; religious studies; gardening; photography; baking/cooking; playing an instrument; and acting, drama & theatre skills.

• Expedition – all participants successfully completed expedition training, and

  • Bronze participants - a two-day qualifying expedition through Glen Tanar estate.

  • Silver participants - a three-day practice expedition through Glen Dye estate and a three-day qualifying expedition through Invercauld and Mar Lodge estates.

During the 2025/26 session, 8 pupils achieved a Bronze DofE Award, and 5 pupils achieved a Silver DofE Award.  Well done!

As part of DofE, participants are encouraged to create a My Saltire account and record their volunteering hours on this platform in order to gain a Saltire Award which recognises their volunteering within the school or their local community.

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award participants spent 689 hours volunteering between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026.  We are immensely proud of the dedication, effort and achievement of young people making an impact in their community.  The social value of these hours is £5,200.

Thank you to all the DofE Leaders that work with the participants on a weekly basis, to all members of staff that provide activities for the participants to do, and to all members of staff that support on an ad hoc basis.

For further information on The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, please visit www.dofe.org or speak to any member of the DofE St Machar team.

Mr Scott, DofE Co-ordinator