2018 HNHS School Magazine HNHS Magazine 2018 | Page 23

2018 has seen the Duke of Edinburgh Hillary Award
programme grow in popularity with over 60 new year 10
students starting the challenge at the Bronze level. It is
pleasing to see such a motivated and capable group starting
their journey towards Gold and most completed the required
skill, service and physical recreation sections before taking
off on the two overnight expeditions at the end of the year.
Finally, special thanks goes to all of the staff involved in the
DOE programme this year. In particular, Mrs Gertsch who,
as well as joining a Silver and Bronze expedition this year,
organised a Gold expedition to Switzerland. We are lucky to
have staff involved with the programme who are prepared to
offer time and energy to make such memorable trips happen.
The Switzerland trip was a life-changing adventure for the
students (and staff) involved and hopefully we will be able
to offer a similar experience to DOE students again in the
future.
The Silver students have had a very busy year completing
their final expedition for Bronze in February after it was
postponed in 2017 due to poor weather conditions. A week
later, those keen to carry on with the Silver award completed
their training day with Paul Bolt and Heather Grady (Outdoor
Training NZ). The training day prepared the group for the
challenges they would face a couple of months later during
the slightly more rigorous Lake Waikaremoana expedition.
Te Urewera is renowned for its spooky mist covered ranges
and mossy goblin forest. The eerie silence of the forest was
drowned out somewhat this year by the sound of tuneful
melodies sung by Wiremu, Joe and Harry and Amber’s
pained whimpers as we trudged up towards Panekiri Bluff.
Despite a few blisters, the group successfully completed
the circuit and enjoyed a triumphant water taxi ride across
a glassy Lake Waikaremoana to finish. As I write this
article, the group is preparing for their final expedition to
the Umukarekare Range in the Kaimanawa Ranges.
Our Gold students have been busy completing demanding
expeditions, training weekends, residential projects and
community service on top of the usual physical recreation
and skill requirements. Our congratulations go to Rebecca
Richards and Kate McKendry who successfully completed
their Gold Duke of Edinburgh awards this year. Their award
recognises four years of hard work and we are very proud
of them both.
23