Gordonstoun |Prince Philip's school award re-launched to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee

Prince Philip's school award re-launched to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee

10 June 2021

HRH Prince Philip sailing at Gordonstoun

The award which HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, won at school and which went on to form the inspiration for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, is being re-launched for all schoolchildren in Moray to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. The ‘Moray Badge’ will be on offer for one year to encourage students in the Moray Council area to get active and boost their confidence following a year of lockdowns.

The ‘Moray Badge Platinum Jubilee’ is being launched at Gordonstoun, Prince Philip’s former school, on what would have been His Royal Highness’ 100th birthday, 10 June 2021, and will continue during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year in 2022 when Her Majesty marks 70 years on the throne.

The initiative has been welcomed by HRH The Princess Royal, Princess Anne who said, “I was delighted to hear that the Moray Badge is being brought back to Moray and Banffshire to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of HM The Queen in 2022 and to acknowledge the work undertaken by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in encouraging the development of so many young people all over the world.

“HRH The Duke of Edinburgh knew about the plans for the Moray Badge Platinum Jubilee project, and I am pleased that its launch will mark what would have been his 100th birthday. I am sure that young people will benefit from the skills, experiences and enjoyment they gain from taking part in the Moray Badge Platinum Jubilee project.”

Principal of Gordonstoun, Lisa Kerr, said, “The Moray Badge was established by the founder of Gordonstoun, Kurt Hahn, so that local children could benefit from the Gordonstoun ethos and grow in confidence by challenging themselves. Whilst at Gordonstoun, Prince Philip learned life-saving skills, went on expeditions and completed various other physical challenges in order to attain the silver Moray Badge (the top award). Whilst he was at Gordonstoun, Prince Philip went on to coach children from other local schools to gain their Moray Badge. He would have loved to see local children set out to win similar awards all these years later.”

The Original Moray Badges

In order to win a platinum, copper or brass Jubilee Moray Badge, students must undertake a variety of activities. These may include orienteering, water sports, nature walks and gardening and a Project Leader will be appointed to co-ordinate the scheme.

The Moray Badge Platinum Jubileee is open to all primary and secondary schoolchidlren in Moray. 10 year old Finn Barber has already completed a number of challenges similar to those he would need to gain a Moray Badge Platinum Jubilee. He said, “I’ve gone hiking and learned how to bake bread but my favourite challenge was making a snowhole because we had to climb over some really big snowdrifts to do it.”

On behalf of Elgin Academy, Headteacher Kyle Scott said, “As a school and as pupils we are hugely excited about the launch of the Moray Badge. We feel it will be a fantastic opportunity for us to develop new skills and gain recognition for this. We cannot wait to be involved and recognise how beneficial it will be for our pupils, but also our wider school community. We have also been hugely excited to hear about how our school is a part of the history of this award and this makes it extra special for us.”

Lord Lieutenant of Moray, Major General the Honourable Seymour Monro CBE LVO said,

“We decided to re-run the Moray Badge to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee because it is special to Moray and there is that strong link to Prince Philip and thus the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award which has benefitted millions of children around the world. We want local schoolchildren to take inspiration from that and to set themselves challenges which will help them to grow in confidence and self-esteem.”

Launch of the Moray Badge Platinum Jubilee at Gordonstoun

Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire, Andrew Simpson, added, “I am delighted the Moray Badge is open to all primary and secondary schools in the Moray Council area. This project fits in well with what schools and the Council are doing to support the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people after this challenging year.”

Chair of the Moray Badge Platinum Jubilee project, Joanna Grant Peterkin, said: “The Moray Badge Platinum Jubilee ties in with Moray Council's support of children after the disruption of lockdowns and settling back into school after a long absence. It aims to help pupils' health and wellbeing by encouraging them to take part in a programme of outdoor activities such as swimming, orienteering, biking, hill walks, water sports, nature walks, beachcombing and gardening. They will earn points towards age-appropriate badges and develop skills and interests for the future. We are liaising with local organisations and volunteers whom we hope will want to get involved and with local businesses to help sponsor some of the activities. We really hope pupils will enjoy taking part and have fun.”

Moray Council’s Head of Education, Vivienne Cross, said: “We were delighted to welcome Deputy Lord Lieutenant Joanna Grant Peterkin to a head teachers’ briefing to explain about the heritage of the Moray Badge. I encourage all of our schools to participate in this inspirational project for children and young people of all ages to provide fulfilling outdoor activities for primary and secondary pupils in Moray. Health and wellbeing remains our priority for our children and young people, and taking part in the Moray Badge Platinum Jubilee offers them a unique experience to challenge themselves and to develop skills, stay active and learn outdoors.”

Further information about the Moray Badge Platinum Jubilee can be found at www.moraybadge.org.uk and also www.lordlieutenantmoray.co.uk or https://www.lordlieutenantbanffshire.co.uk/

For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact: Eleanor Bradford

Email: bradforde@gordonstoun.org.uk
Tel: 01343 837763
Mobile: 07860 557682

ABOUT GORDONSTOUN:

Gordonstoun is an independent boarding school which was established in Moray in 1934 by Dr Kurt Hahn, a Jewish exile who fled Nazi Germany. He founded the school with the ideal of developing better world citizens equipped to contribute to society. Dr Kurt Hahn was the driving force behind the Outward-Bound Movement and The Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards. Gordonstoun has been a pioneer of character education which, as well as academic subjects, includes outdoor activities, sailing, athletics and service to the community. Three generations of British royalty have been educated at Gordonstoun, including the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales. Approximately one third of the pupils at the co-educational boarding school receive financial help in order to attend. The school was described as ‘outstanding’ and ‘sector-leading’ in its most recent inspection.