Congratulations to the following students who have achieved their Duke of Edinburgh Award.

• Bronze: Olivia Murray - 18 May 2023

• Bronze: Libby Hawkins - 13 June 2023

• Silver: Renae Adrian - 31 May 2023

• Silver: Maddie Stephenson - 30 June 2023

• Silver: Amanda Hayward - 30 June 2023

Here are some reflections:

Bronze: Olivia Murray

For my Bronze Duke of Edinburgh award I completed four sections. For my skill I did crochet. I made many things such as a crochet wrist cuff, a top and a tiny pug. For my service I volunteered at a kindergarten. I helped the teachers there with things that needed doing and got to play with the kids as well. For my sport I did rock climbing which I enjoyed doing. I stepped out of my comfort zone and gradually challenged myself with harder climbs. I even got to go climb outdoors at Pukerua bay which was a great experience. I also did a training camp and two tramps, one to Atiwhakatu and one to Iron Gates. Although we were provided with some challenges they were still very fun and memorable. Overall the highlight of my Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award would have to be attempting new things.

Bronze: Libby Hawkins

To achieve my Bronze Duke of Edinburgh award I completed 26 hours of learning a new skill, 13 hours of voluntary service, 13 hours of physical recreation and a training, practice and qualifying adventurous journey. A new skill I learnt was knitting, starting off with peggy squares and moving onto knitting a hat. My voluntary service was carried out at a kindergarten. I read the kids stories, played with them and helped the teachers with other jobs that they needed doing. Toward the end of my volunteering I made a book for the children and read it to them. I think that they really enjoyed it. Rock climbing was my physical recreation. I enjoyed rock climbing because it challenged me and pushed me to have more perseverance. A highlight of the award was probably climbing outdoors on a real rock face in Pukerua Bay. For my adventurous journey I did tramping. I did a training camp where I learnt about lots of different things to do with tramping and the New Zealand bush. I did a practice journey to Atiwhakatu hut and a qualifying journey to Iron Gates hut. Tramping was also a highlight because it was a new experience and I learnt a lot. I also enjoyed spending time with my friends and meeting new people.

Silver: Renae Adrian

For my skill I learnt to drive a manual car, and successfully gained my restricted licence. For my physical I swam to become as fit as possible so I could become a surf life saver. I gained my lifeguard qualification so for my service I volunteered at Himatangi beach over the summer. The highlight for me was being able to help rescue two people that got caught in a rip. I also volunteered at my local school helping children with their learning. I went to Outward Bound for my adventurous journey. I was totally out of my comfort zone. It was a great experience, I made new friends and gained skills that will help me in the future. My highlight would have been the sailing and just being in nature with no social media.

Silver: Maddie Stephenson

For my Silver Duke Of Edinburgh award, I completed 6 months of a skill, a sport and a service. For my skill, I learnt how to quilt and I produced my first design. For my sport, I trained for upcoming cycling events such as the recent North Island School Road Championships. For my service, I used my sewing skills to create quilts, scent hearts and cot sheets for The Little Miracles Trust, a charity supporting premature babies in the neonatal care unit. For my adventurous journeys, I tramped to Stanfield and Cattle Creek Hut in the Ruahine Ranges and Herepai and Roaring Stag Hut in the Tararua Ranges. I enjoyed both of these tramps very much. Overall, the highlight of my Silver Duke Of Edinburgh would’ve been learning new things and meeting new people.

Silver: Amanda Hayward

For my Silver Duke Of Edinburgh award, I completed 26 hours of a skill, physical recreation and voluntary service each. For my skill, I logged my violin lessons and practises which led towards my Grade 8 exam. For physical recreation I did ballet, and was preparing for my RAD vocational Intermediate exam. For my voluntary work, I assisted and helped out in my dance school, and joined the Grade 2 ballet class to be an extra pair of hands during class time. For my adventurous journeys, I completed 3 day tramps to Stanfield and Cattle Creek hut, and also to Herepai and Roaring Stag Hut. These tramps definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone, but made me realise the importance of dedication and perseverance. The highlights throughout my silver award would be completing the tramps and working with the kids at my dance school.