DoE gold for Sabrina!
by Mr. Braeden Johnstone, Duke of Edinburgh Coordina
Box Hill High School
Congratulations to Sabrina L (12Z) who has completed her Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award!
The Duke of Edinburgh program is the world’s leading youth development program, empowering all youth to explore their full potential. The Award equips young people for life and work, challenging them to find their purpose, passion and place in the world while enhancing their educational and employment opportunities.
To put into perspective the level of Sabrina’s achievement, she had to first complete her Silver Award and then Gold, both a minimum of a 12-month commitment (students enter the Silver program at Year 10 and skip Bronze).
The program is very student-driven and requires them to set goals in three different areas and complete an adventurous journey. The areas for goal setting are physical recreation, community service and personal skill development and students are required to commit to their goals on average one hour per week. The Adventurous Journey is the end of year hike that students complete, and Sabrina completed hers in the Strathbogie National Forest and alpine area of Mount Hotham Alpine and Dinner Plains.
In addition to Sabrina's goals and Adventurous Journey she was also required to complete a weeklong Residential Project as part of her Gold Award. Sabrina completed her Residential Project by volunteering her time with Southern Cross Kids Camp who support disadvantaged children.
Here is what Sabrina had to say about her experience with the Duke of Edinburgh Award:
“I am absolutely ecstatic to have completed my Duke of Ed Gold! It has been such a rewarding program, and I have learnt so much about myself and those around me. DoE really tests your persistence and organisation skills, and it teaches you to think ahead, adapt to your situation and push yourself towards new opportunities. Our week-long hike up at Mount Hotham and volunteering at a Southern Cross Kid's camp were as delightful as they were difficult, and they've both taught me a whole lot about empathy and gratitude. I've always found it challenging to stick with a new skill or reach out to new spaces, but Duke of Ed has helped me prove to myself that I am capable of it. It has pushed me towards working even harder to the things I want to learn and get better at in my everyday life.”
I am so incredibly proud of Sabrina's commitment and what she has achieved. To celebrate the achievement of the Gold Award, all successful participants are invited to attend the Gold ceremony which will be held at Government House.