Ten Year 7 boys at St Cuthbert’s Catholic High School have proudly completed the Fortis Dux Award, a unique programme fostering leadership skills through acts of compassion and commitment- with these being two of the school’s 4Cs which also include competence and conscience. Exclusive to the school, the award draws inspiration from the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and the Pope John Paul II Award, reflecting the school’s Catholic heritage and emphasis on holistic development.
To earn the award, pupils collect signatures in their Fortis Dux booklets by demonstrating exceptional qualities in two categories. In the compassion section, the boys have engaged in meaningful tasks such as offering to help run clubs, sharing equipment, contributing to CAFOD World Gifts, donating Advent alms, and exhibiting kindness through manners and helpfulness. Meanwhile, in the commitment section, they participated in public reading, completed extra classwork and homework, volunteered, increased their house points, and regularly attended co-curricular activities like chess, dodgeball, and Geogberts club.
Each level of the award—Bronze, Silver, and Gold—requires a set number of signatures in both categories and most pupils who complete the award do so in May/June. Achieving the Gold Award also entitles pupils to visit to Holy Island.
Head of Year, Mrs Watson commended the pupils'’ efforts, stating, “The Fortis Dux Award embodies St Cuthbert’s mission to ‘form great men’. These pupils have shown they are ready to rise to any challenge with compassion and commitment.”
Assistant Head of Year, Mrs. Cunningham, praised the boys' achievements, saying, “These young men have gone above and beyond to embrace the values of compassion and commitment that this award represents. Their dedication is an inspiration to their peers and a testament to their potential as future leaders.”
The programme is set to continue inspiring Year 7 boys, providing them with a platform to contribute meaningfully to their school and community.
