Duke of Edinburgh - Challenge accepted!

Mark Haebich

Teacher - Bushwhacked

As part of Bushwhacked studies , Bushwhacked students undertake to achieve the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award.

The Duke of Edinburgh program is made up of four separate sections - (see the illustration here - click to enlarge).  To earn the award, candidates must complete each of these sections. 

Earlier in the year, students wrote goals for each section and set off (under the mentorship of their selected assessors) to complete and log activities for their physical recreation, skills and service sections. 

The considerable disruptions to this year have seen Bushwhacked students pirouette with their section goals and activities with great creativity and results. Re-imagined Service activities include a range of citizen science projects that are doable in the remote context along with engagement and support for vulnerable communities through a number of local/personal projects. Students have also taken the opportunity provided by lockdown to double down their focus on the physical recreation and skills sections with some amazing results and goals achieved. Here is a quick snapshot of some of work done of which students, their families and the wider school community should be inspired and proud.

Lucy Petrovic 

Year 9 

It has been good during lockdown, because I have been able to sew a lot more than usual. I am doing sewing as my skill for my Duke of Ed which, in lockdown, has been a really fun activity. it has kept me busy when I have nothing else to do. I am planning on sewing a tote bag next and maybe a skirt before lockdown ends.

Caitlin Evans

Year 9

For the majority of the year, my Service activity for the Duke of Ed was helping out with coaching an Under 12’s Hockey team. Because of lockdown restrictions, the rest of the hockey season was cancelled. So, to complete my award, I am  knitting Trauma Teddies for the Red Cross. I really enjoy this activity and have completed ¼ of a teddy so far!