![Two Merchistonians standing in front of Buckingham Palace before their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award ceremony.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1684749749/merchistoncouk/ibnvu4wjh38ostpnmrgr/PatrickCallum_GoldDoEAward_800X800.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1684749749/merchistoncouk/ibnvu4wjh38ostpnmrgr/PatrickCallum_GoldDoEAward_800X800.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1684749749/merchistoncouk/ibnvu4wjh38ostpnmrgr/PatrickCallum_GoldDoEAward_800X800.jpg","width":800}])
Incredible news about Merchistonians Patrick and Callum receving their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award at Buckingham Palace.
Duke of Edinburgh Award
DoE News
![Merchiston Juniors pupils having fun around a camp fire]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1607529253/merchistoncouk/qgmqzwfv8j9hwv7v0bel/MerchistonCastleSchooljuniorpupilssittingaroundafire.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1607529253/merchistoncouk/qgmqzwfv8j9hwv7v0bel/MerchistonCastleSchooljuniorpupilssittingaroundafire.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1607529253/merchistoncouk/qgmqzwfv8j9hwv7v0bel/MerchistonCastleSchooljuniorpupilssittingaroundafire.png","width":800}])
The Headmaster discusses the value of Outdoor Education at Merchiston.
![Merchiston Castle School pupils walking in the Pentland hills at sunset]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1607527286/merchistoncouk/acvtnr9yztvgdn9cadsj/MerchistonCastleSchoolpupilsdoingnavigationtrainingforDukeofEdinburghonPentlandHillswithsunsettinginthesky.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1607527286/merchistoncouk/acvtnr9yztvgdn9cadsj/MerchistonCastleSchoolpupilsdoingnavigationtrainingforDukeofEdinburghonPentlandHillswithsunsettinginthesky.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1607527286/merchistoncouk/acvtnr9yztvgdn9cadsj/MerchistonCastleSchoolpupilsdoingnavigationtrainingforDukeofEdinburghonPentlandHillswithsunsettinginthesky.jpg","width":800}])
This term our pupils have enjoyed a variety of Outdoor Education experiences in Edinburgh and the Lothians.
We strongly believe in inspiring your son to become an independent, resourceful and resilient young man, eager to take on a challenge, able to accept and manage risk, and aware of his own strengths and weaknesses. The Duke of Edinburgh Award helps us to do just that.
Although the administration of the Award scheme falls under the Outdoor Education umbrella, only one quarter of the scheme is actually about expeditions. The remainder comprises the Volunteering, Physical and Skills sections and, in the case of Gold, a week-long Residential. The imaginative array of activities undertaken to fulfil the criteria of these sections never ceases to amaze!
When your son is in the IV Form, he will be expected to undertake a Bronze Duke of Edinburgh expedition, with participation at Silver and Gold level on a purely voluntary basis. The venues for the Gold and Silver expeditions tend to change on an annual basis and we try to target some of the most beautiful and wild places in the UK: Kintail, the Cairngorms, the Borders, the Lake District and the Peak District.
