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On 29th March 2017, 8 students from years 9 and 10 took part in the first school exchange visit with pupils from 3ero de ESO in
l’escola Paidos near Barcelona. Pupils stayed with host families living and breathing like Spanish children for five days!
D of E Round Up As well as experiencing Spanish culture first-hand, our students visited some of Spain’s most famous attractions including Camp

Nou stadium, Montserrat, Sant Benet monastery, Sitges and Barcelona. The group were treated like celebrities by the small
Catalonian community - they even had a formal welcome from the mayor! As well as visiting tourist attractions, the group spent
some time doing activities in the classroom and even managed to squeeze in an international rugby match at sunset!

There was still plenty of free time for getting to know the host families who treated our children as if they were their own. There
were tears all round when the time came to say “adiós”.
But it wasn’t “goodbye” forever as we are already making plans for the Catalonian students’ visit to St David’s College next Easter.
Emma Mulvihill Gold D of E Achiever
Ian Martin
It will, no doubt, be a very happy reunion!
Paula Roberts
This academic year has been a busy one for pupils who have opted to take part in For the first time, the annual St David’s House raft race took
the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Now in its 60th year, the Award encourages young place at Llyn Padarn in Llanberis on a Saturday this year.
people (in addition to their school work), to take part in new sports, learn new skills, This meant that as well as having the three house teams, we
volunteer their time to helping others and, of course, take part in a self-sufficient also had a bus load of supporters from each house, parents,
expedition in wild country. These are all attributes, values and skills that are
grandparents and a whole host of tourists who stopped to
embedded into the ethos of St David’s College and were all part of founding
watch the excitement! As St David’s took over the lagoon
Headmaster John Mayor’s original vision for the school.
area of the lake the crowds gathered by the start line.
Starting in Year 9, all pupils at St David’s have the opportunity to take part in the Bronze, Silver
The quality of the raft building this year was of the highest
and Gold Awards. A special pin badge and certificate are awarded for each level gained. The
Headmaster has the honour of presenting the Bronze and Silver Awards at the St David’s Final Assembly celebration, yet – some might say too high, as for the first time, none of
but those who go on to achieve the coveted Gold Award receive a gold embossed royal invitation to attend a the rafts disintegrated during the race, much to the
presentation from a member of the Royal Family at St James’ or Buckingham Palace. spectators’ disappointment. After a raucous countdown, the
teams set off around the new, extended course, cheered on
At this year’s presentation in May, St David’s pupils and alumni, Emma Mulvihill, Jason Clarke, Laura Stewart and Nick by the ever swelling crowds.
Roden were all honoured guests at Buckingham Palace. On top of that, this year’s 6th Form leavers, Sam Tindling, David
Johnson, Sam Ellis, Jack Harley-Walsh, Neil Douglas, Tesni Lloyd-Jones, Jack Thomas and Megan Griffith have all been While Cader had a fast start, Snowdon were keeping the
approved and are all awaiting invitations to the next presentation. pace. Tryfan were forced into third, despite Jamie diving
overboard to speed up the collection of the first marker. House Raft Race
The expeditions, which are the most talked about part of the Award, are a key part of the Outdoor Education
Neil and Jack provided the vocal encouragement to spur the
programme. Over the course of this year, pupils have helped to plan and take part in six different Bronze, and five Silver
Snowdon raft into top gear and soon, even the muscle
expeditions, (including two by sea kayak and canoe). The Gold expeditions, which involve a longer journey of four days
power of Cader couldn’t keep the pace. There was almost a
and three nights, have taken place in Snowdonia and the Isle of Man as well as an expedition by boat, which sailed from
final catch up near the finish line, but Snowdon were clear
Conwy around part of Anglesey.
winners this year thanks to their packing away speed.
Have you started an Award but not finished? Do you still need to get some sections signed off? Check your progress
online at www.edofe.org (you’ve got until you’re 25 years old!) or see Ian Martin in the Outdoor Education department, Well done everyone who took part and to those who came
to finish and get the recognition of completing the Award. And finally, the documentary ‘When Phillip met Philip’ (find it along to cheer and created such a good atmosphere.
on YouTube) is well worth a watch – it gives a good insight into The Duke of Edinburgh and his Award. Some of the
footage is filmed at a garden party at Buckingham Palace last summer, where the Headmaster, several St David’s pupils,
and myself were in attendance – can you spot them in the background?
Paul Matthews
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