The Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award has been part of New Zealand life since 1963 and has approximately 18,500 young people currently participating in the scheme.

The aim of the award scheme is to develop personal skills and attributes in a non-competitive manner. Columba College has a strong history of participation, with several Gold Awards being gained by students.

The award takes between one and four years to complete, and consists of four areas:

• Volunteering: undertaking service to individuals or the community.
• Physical: improving in an area of sport, dance or fitness activities.
• Skills: developing practical and social skills and personal interests.
• Expedition: planning, training for, and completion of an adventurous journey.

With assistance from adult leaders, participants set objectives in each area, logging their progress in their Online Record Book as they work to achieve their goals. Once a section has been completed, the Assessor writes a brief report commenting on the participant’s progress.

There are three levels of the Award with participants logging at least one hour a week on each section:

• Bronze – in which the sections last for three months each, with one section selected to last for six months. The qualifying Adventurous Journey is 2 days and 1 night.
• Silver – Each section takes 6 months (for those who do not complete the Bronze award, one section must last for 9 months). The qualifying Adventurous Journey is 3 days and 2 nights.
• Gold – Each section lasts 12 months (18 months if the participant has not completed Silver). The Qualifying Adventurous Journey is 4 days and 3 nights.

At all levels, participants are required to show commitment to the award by participating regularly for the length of the award.

The Bronze award can be started in the school year in which the participant turns 14. Silver and Gold can be started at 15 and 16 respectively. All participants have until their 25th birthday to finish their awards.

The award costs $85.25 for each of the Bronze and Silver awards, as well as a share of the Award Centre Registration Fee.

For more information please go to https://dofehillary.org.nz/ and if you are interested follow the sign up procedures outlined on the website.

Mr Duckett