Duke says thanks to awards stalwart

Back in the 60s, when David Stibbles completed his own Duke of Edinburgh gold award, little did he know that four decades later he would still be involved in the scheme. Now, Mr Stibbles, who was awarded the MBE in 2001 for his services to the award scheme in Dundee, has retired from his post in the PE department at Harris Academy after 37 years service.

It was in 1970 that the teacher encouraged and established the Duke of Edinburgh awards scheme at the school.  It has gone from strength to strength since then, with 1231 bronze awards, 697 silvers, and 463 golds - 2391 in total with a possible 44 further golds this year.

His achievement was marked by both the large contingent of recipients proudly wearing the colours of Harris Academy yesterday, but also by words of thanks from the duke himself.

Mr Stibbles completed his primary and secondary education from 1952 to 1965 at Harris, being named as school captain in his sixth year and playing rugby for the school in first to sixth year.  He entered the Duke of Edinburgh award under the auspices of the Boys Brigade in 1964 and went on to study PE at Jordanhill in Glasgow from 1965 to 1968, returning straight back to the academy to begin his teaching career at his old school.

Starting the awards in 1970, he has been the award leader there ever since, helping thousands on their way to their own personal goals.

Yesterday he remained humble in the role he has played in encouraging and supporting pupils to take part in the awards. "I have had a lot of help, I could not have done it on my own," he said.

He added that he was enormously proud of his pupils' achievements, and had enjoyed seeing brothers and sisters all taking part over  the years.  Mr Stibbles said he would continue with the awards scheme as an assessor.