Congratulations to all students who have achieved their Awards.

Bronze Award:

· Linn Herzig
· Ellie Lovegrove
· Marama Parsons
· Isabel Donald

Linn says:

“I decided to complete the award because I wanted to challenge myself by giving new things a try. Also I had heard many great things about the award from others, inspiring me to complete it myself. I volunteered at the New Kiwis Club, helping refugee children learn new skills, participated in ballet for my physical recreation and learned how to cook. My highlight of the award was definitely the Adventurous Journey hiking in the Ruahine Ranges. I enjoyed learning many new navigational skills and being able to experience the beautiful scenery New Zealand has to offer”.

Silver Award at Convention Centre on 6 May:

Congratulations to the following students who have achieved their Silver Duke of Edinburgh Awards at the Convention Centre on 6 May:

· Madeline Bendall
· Ana Faville
· Georgia Tindle
· Emily Williams

Madeline says:

“Madeline completed her service by helping the elderly at a Rest Home, I participated in swimming for her physical recreation, and wrote a novel for her skill. The highlight of the award was the tramping, meeting new people, facing new challenges and having to live off what I could carry and do so much walking, but being able to adapt to a different lifestyle was very cool. I decided to do the award not only because it looks good on applications, but because it allowed me to try new things and push myself. I have learnt so much from this award, and made many new friends and memories”.

Georgia says:

“I volunteered at Arohanui Hospice Shop, helping sorting clothes and cleaning up. For my physical recreation I did tennis and cycling. I had to add cycling to keep active over lockdown and in times when we were at level two and sport was not continuing. For my skill, I did piano, and logged my piano lessons, when I did piano practice. While my tramp was low key traumatic, I did have some beautiful moments with the group I tramped with. It was an enjoyable experience that I can look back on. I decided to do the silver award because I understand the significance it has around the world. It is a great credential and a great opportunity”.

Emily says:

“ For my service I completed Netball umpiring and picked up rubbish, for she did my physical recreation I did tennis and for my skill I did piano. My highlight of the award would have been my silver qualifying tramp. Despite it being incredibly challenging, both physically and mentally due to one of our group members falling ill, it was really rewarding to push through this and finish the tramp as a group. We were lucky because we had really lovely weather during the whole tramp - although this was hard to appreciate due to the technicality of the tramp! It certainly was an experience I will never forget! One of the main reasons I decided to do this award is because I love getting into the outdoors. For me, during my bronze and silver award (and into my gold award), my favourite parts have definitely been the adventurous journeys. In these journeys I have met new people and partaken in really enjoyable tramps. This award also motivated me to carry on with my service, physical recreation and skill”.

Ana completed her service by volunteering at Willard Retirement Home, she did tennis and personal training for her physical recreation and piano for her skill. The highlight of the award was gaining new experiences and skills.

Gold Award Ceremony

The Gold Award Ceremony was held at Government House on 15 May. The main speaker was Peter Hillary who talked about the legacy that his father Sir Edmund Hillary had left behind and acknowledged the effort, determination and perseverance of all the Gold Award recipients. The award ceremony is well deserved recognition for a challenge completed. When students first start the award, the prospect of receiving a Gold Award seems like a long way in the future. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award offers valuable opportunities to learn life skills, make new connections and engage more fully with your communities. The experiences gained will stand you in good stead in the years to come

The following students achieved their Gold Awards:

· Miriam Carr
· Charlotte Williams 

Miriam Carr (Bronze, Silver and Gold) says:

Duke of Ed allowed me to encounter many once in a lifetime opportunities. I met incredible people, pushed myself out of my comfort zone and gained confidence that I never thought was possible. My highlights would be my final two expeditions - the Abel Tasman and around Mount Ruapehu

Charlotte Williams (Bronze, Silver and Gold) says:

A major highlight of the Award was the Adventurous Journey section, for which I went tramping. The tramps were physically exhausting, yet mentally relaxing - a perfect combination which instils an indomitable feeling of accomplishment and were a great brain-break from school and the general business of life. Our Gold Qualifying Expedition in the Abel Tasman National Park was extremely memorable for its lush native bush, exquisite beaches and for the awesome group of people alongside me. 

Congratulations to all these recipients.  If you are interested in participating in the Duke of Edinburgh’s award, please contact Mrs Dustin at j.dustin@pnghs.school.nz