A determined Sixth Former at Rydal Penrhos has been rewarded for his exceptional dedication by securing a national outdoor education award.
Ethan Davies, a Year 13 pupil at Rydal Penrhos, was recently informed that he has successfully come through his Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award assessment with flying colours, which is the culmination of many years of hard work to come through every stage of the programme.
In order to obtain his Gold Award, Ethan took part in a five-day residential scheme at Blackpool Zoo, and he also braved difficult conditions on a four-day assessment expedition across the vast Snowdonia landscape.
Ethan’s volunteering has also consisted of beach cleaning activities across North Wales and Cyprus, where his family are based.
If that wasn’t enough, Ethan spent time with some vital Turtle conservation projects during his time away from school in Cyprus.
The pupil returned to Cyprus when the government forced schools to shut due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Island has also gone through a lockdown process relating to Covid-19, and he took this time to focus more on his passion for drawing and photography.
Ethan plans to take a gap year depending on what travel restrictions remain in place when social distancing measures are relaxed, but after submitting a portfolio and attending an interview, he was offered an unconditional place to study Photography at the University of Plymouth in 2021.
Sally-Ann Harding, Head of Rydal Penrhos Senior School, said: “Ethan has had to overcome many different obstacles to secure his Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award, and everyone at Rydal Penrhos is extremely proud of him.
“He has been a big part of school life over the last five years, and he can look back at his time at Rydal Penrhos with an enormous sense of achievement and pride. Ethan tackled every challenge with unrivalled enthusiasm and determination, which is a testament to the sort of character he is.
“Hopefully he will be able to see some of the world during his gap year before beginning the next stage of his education, and we all wish Ethan the very best.”
