Fancy a private stroll with royalty?

That’s exactly what some of our students had last month at Southshore Spit Reserve. Yes, that’s Annabelle Gracey and Evie George talking with His Royal Highness, Prince Edward - the new Duke of Edinburgh.

Every year, Middleton students join thousands from around the world in the Duke of Edinburgh Award programme. This year the Duke himself came for a visit.

Our own Olivia Cooper was chosen to speak to Prince Edward about Christchurch’s own migrating birds, the Godwits – a species of special interest to him.

Among those also present were Paige Cherry, Amber Judkins, Sophie Pellow, Tahlia Pellow, Freddy Read, Theo Read, Will Lewis and Joy Xiong. They found Prince Edward relaxed, friendly, interested and approachable.

Special thanks to Chris Allen from the Joshua Foundation for countless hours and changes to plan to make this memorable occasion possible, and for taking many Middleton students through the internationally recognized Duke of Edinburgh programme.