Congratulations to the students who have achieved their Bronze, Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh certificate and badge in March.

Students are required to complete a skill, service, physical recreation and adventurous journeys for either 3, 6  or 12 months.  Students have written about their personal reflections of doing the award: 

Bronze Award - Annabel Irwin

My Bronze Duke Of Edinburgh was a challenging yet very enjoyable experience. I had to pick a skill (learn something new), Service (give back to the community), Physical Activity (sport) and complete 2 adventurous journeys. I chose to learn the saxophone for my skill, and I loved it. Learning a new instrument is a very rewarding experience, and I got to play some pretty cool songs too (like careless whisper). For my service, I chose to give back to the football community who have done so much for me, since I joined when I was 5. I coached 3-5 year olds how to play football. It did have its challenges, such as the incredibly short attention spans, but I found it really cool to watch the kids I coached improve their skills, and knowledge of the game. It was a given that I would choose football for my Physical Reacreation, with a goal to develop my spacial awareness. I can’t really say that's all I focused on, but I did end up improving it a bit by the end of the year. Finally the highlight was the 2 adventurous journeys, particularly the very memorable qualifying one. We started off on a somewhat normal tramp, through the semi bush of an overgrown farm. When we got to the actual bush, there was no path. So for a while we hunted around, until we eventually found a trap, which looked like it led to a path. Spurred on, we carried on, and took the wrong way. Long story short, we bush hacked through some very steep terrain, to get to a nonexistent and overgrown camp site, where we ended up camping in the bush, and blowing up my gas cooker. Although this journey had its fair share of challenges, it was a very rewarding experience to get through, and of course, very funny now I look back. 

Silver Award - Priyanka Joshi

My Silver Duke Of Edinburgh was a challenging, yet rewarding experience. As part of the award I participated in a skill, physical recreation and service activity over the course of six months, and also went on two adventurous journeys. I chose to read for one hour a week for my skill and in the end I actually only got through six books which means I only read about one book per month, however, I’ve justified this by noting that most of the books were quite thick and needed more time to finish. For my physical recreation, I once again selected ballet, and sat my RAD Advanced Foundation exam last year. For my service I volunteered at the Manawatu Toy Library, a place I hadn’t ever heard of until a friend introduced me to it. It turned out to be a very fun experience thanks to the friendly people who volunteered and those who were regular customers. Finally, the most memorable part of the award were the two adventurous journeys. The first journey was done in the Kawekas during Winter. The journey consisted of walking mainly uphill for the first two days and, although it was extremely tiring and difficult, we saw some breathtaking views and the biggest highlight was seeing snow! My qualifier journey in Summer, and the heat was probably the most difficult challenge to face. Although both journeys were difficult, both physically and mentally, they left me with an immense sense of accomplishment and unforgettable memories. 

Silver Award - Yuvin Cho

To complete my Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award, I had to participate in physical activity, skill, and voluntary service for six months, as well as complete two adventurous journeys. For my physical activity, I trained and played hockey on Tuesdays in the PNGHS development team. I played the position of midfield and my individual as well as teamwork skills developed significantly throughout the season. I selected flute for my skill, where I worked on my technique and pieces for my Trinity Advanced certificate exam I sat at the end of last year. Then for my service, I volunteered every fortnight at the Manawatū Toy library which was a new and enjoyable experience. I helped friendly customers with their issues and returns, stocktaked toys, and tidied the library. My personal highlight from this award however was definitely the two adventurous journeys. My first tramp was in the Kawekas to Kiwi Saddle and Mackintosh Hut. Being during the winter, the cold temperatures were quite challenging, especially when trying to fall asleep in the tents at night. However on the second day, we hiked mostly in the snow which was very exciting. For my qualifying tramp, this was in the Tararuas to South Ohau and Te Matawai Hut. Opposite to before, this was during the middle of summer so the biggest challenge was definitely the hot heat. Both journeys were difficult physically, climbing many mountains and peaks, but the views I experienced were absolutely breathtaking and made the hardships worth it. This award taught me many useful skills such as compass and map reading, but also skills like resilience and perseverance. By completing my silver award, I have a great sense of accomplishment and many lifelong memories with friends I will treasure forever. 

Silver Award - Ofri Lipsky

Throughout my Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award, I dedicated my Saturday mornings to volunteering at the Manawatu Toy Library, where I assisted with toy loans and maintained inventory amidst the enthusiasm of delighted children. In addition, I trained and casually competed in tennis, sharpening my serving fluency and technical accuracy which helped me in interclub competitions. My musical pursuits saw me developing my drumming skills, learning pieces such as Metallica’s Through the Never, Thunder by Imagine Dragons, and Come As You Are by Nirvana. My hand-eye coordination and limb independence improved and it even felt like brain exercise at times. The most defining aspect of my Silver Award experience, inevitably, was the Adventurous Journeys. I completed two expeditions - the Kiwi Saddle and Mackintosh Hut Loop, and the Qualifier journey through South Ohau and Te Matawai Hut. I must conclude these were the most memorable part of the Award; each day posed challenges but the empowerment gained as we powered through as a group was unparalleled. The expeditions included wading through a river for four hours and climbing a 36% grade incline, and were the reason for the magnitude of the subsequent rewards; eating warm tortellini in the hut, appreciating dramatic scenery, sinking through snow, and practising yoga with friends. From our shadow, I even learned about Everest Base Camp and Te Araroa Trail, along with a lesson or two about the bystander effect when it came to answering the broadcaster on the mountain radio. Another comical moment was when we arrived at Te Matawai Hut, situated in front of a wide and dramatic extension of scenery that had vanished behind a swirling cloud of pale fog. Altogether, my Adventurous Journeys left me with invaluable memories, only attainable as a group of crazy teenagers with 13kg packs in the wild!

Gold Award - Hannah Hoffman

For my Skills section, I focused on Textile and Fashion Design, where I developed my creativity and technical skills through various techniques in sewing, pattern making, and quilting. This experience not only enhanced my design abilities but also taught me the importance of patience and attention to detail. In the Physical Recreation section, I chose Tennis, committing to regular practice that helped improve my technique, fitness, and overall performance on the court. For my Voluntary Service, I dedicated time to Coaching and Teaching, where I worked with younger kids, helping them develop their tennis skills. This role allowed me to share my passion for the sport while improving my leadership and communication skills. Each of these activities played a vital role in my personal growth and contributed to my successful completion of the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award.

For the Residential section, I was awarded a scholarship to participate in the Blake Inspire Course, an environmental program focused on sustainability and conservation. Working alongside like-minded individuals, I contributed to various initiatives, deepening my understanding of ecological issues and refining my teamwork and problem-solving abilities.

Finally, for my Adventurous Journeys, I took part in the Spirit of New Zealand program, an unforgettable sailing adventure on a tall ship. Throughout the journey, we sailed from Nelson to Wellington, stopping at the stunning Abel Tasman and Marlborough Sounds. The experience not only allowed me to forge lasting friendships but also allowed me to do something truly unique—an adventure I couldn’t have experienced anywhere else.