SEVEN GOLD AWARDS for Palmerston North Girls’ High

This is an exceptional achievement in one year - congratulations to the students who completed their Gold Awards in the last 12 months.  Here are some highlights of the award:

Renae Adrian

To earn my Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, I volunteered at my old primary school, organising and protecting literacy reading books for future readers. I learnt how to efficiently grow all types of vegetables from seeds to feed my family and weight training to gain strength for Surf Lifesaving. In addition, I participated in Business Week and sailed for 10 days with Spirit of Adventure. By putting myself out there I have been able to have these opportunities which have taught me important values of patience, compassion, enhancing leadership qualities, as well as self-development. I hope these qualities can aid me through basic training for the Airforce.

Kate Coutts

I volunteered at the Cancer Society, Replay and St Vinnies. I went on Spirit of Adventure as my residential project and did my tramps for adventurous journeys through the Kaweka, Ruahine and Tararua Ranges with Afoot. For my skill, I learnt drama with Class Act and cookery at home. For my physical recreation, I did ballet and dancing with Maximum Dance Zone. I have loved how much you can personalise the Duke of Ed programme and make it suit your interests and hobbies, and also that it has challenged me to grow going on tramps and Spirit. Next step is preparing for university in Christchurch next year and thinking about how to keep up my hobbies, fitness and volunteering while I’m down there.

Lucy McLean

To achieve my Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, I completed 52 weeks of baking, triathlon training and community service for our local family charity REPLAY. In October 2022, I attended BLAKE Inspire in the Waikato, learning about sustainability: from our freshwater and ocean environments to farming. My highlight of the award has been the adventurous journeys, and through this, meeting new people and fostering friendships. For my qualifying journey, we hiked to the highest point of the Kaweka Ranges, and amongst the beautiful panoramic views, four big days of hiking allowed me to reflect on the resilience and determination required to complete the award and appreciate just how rewarding Duke of Edinburgh really is. I look forward to bringing the countless skills and learnings from the award with me as I pursue study at the University of Canterbury next year and continue with my sporting endeavours.

 Linn Herzig

Through completing the Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award I grew my leadership capabilities by volunteering as a youth mentor for the New Kiwi Club, learned how to cook dishes from various cuisines, challenged myself to extend my skills in Ballet, developed greater endurance while running, and taught myself how to knit a blanket. A highlight was hiking the ‘Around the Mountain Circuit’ within the Tongariro National Park. Looking ahead to next year, these experiences have provided me with a solid foundation of skills. My increased independence, determination and perseverance will guide me on my new journey to attend university in Europe.

Eve Hill

To complete my award, I undertook 52 weeks of volunteering at my local Catholic Church, cooking/baking for my family and long-distance running. In addition, I went on a short tramp in the Tararua Ranges, went on voyage 871 with Spirit of Adventure, and travelled to Tokyo, Japan for three months on an academic exchange. I found the most enjoyable part of this entire experience was gaining the opportunity to get out into the world and connect with new friends and the community. I am looking forward to taking the invaluable skills I gained along this journey with me as I move on from PNGHS and go to university.

Emi O’Connor

By completing the Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, I challenged myself to learn to cook a wide range of dishes, improved my long-distance running, and volunteered at the SPCA on weekends. Additionally, I participated in the Rotary Science and Technology Forum, where I explored intriguing science topics at university campuses. The tramps were a key highlight of the award, pushing me out of my comfort zone as I forged lasting friendships and gained valuable skills such as perseverance and resilience. These experiences have given me the confidence and adaptability to support me as I go to university next year.

Esther Steer

To complete my Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, I practised the piano and passed my Grade Eight exam, worked on my cricket and netball skills, and volunteered at my church and Youth Group. My tramps took me into the Ruahine and Kaweka Ranges, respectively, and I was also a leader at El Rancho Kids Camp for a week. By completing this programme, I was pushed out of my comfort zone, where I learnt resilience and determination, and got opportunities to improve my leadership. My hope is that these will assist me next year as I go to university.