Edinburgh’s International Award - A Challenge for all young adults!

The 2017 – 2018 period of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award has seen another successful year of students completing their Bronze, Silver and Gold awards. We had 17 students working on their Bronze, six Silver and three Gold with more students signing up progressively.

Mrs Amber Wesley was our first staff member to complete her Bronze award; while Cassandra Palermo, and Kalahni Best have completed both their Bronze and Silver awards. Both Cassandra and Kalahni are now planning on making it three and completing their Gold Awards also.   

Three Year 12 students were presented with their gold Awards at the end of 2018. They have worked continuously, helping each other to triumph through all the demands of this particular Award, from longer times spent on each of the different sections to taking part in a Residential Project.

The Residential Project entails spending five days and four nights away from home in a shared, worthwhile activity with people they’ve not met before. It is designed to boost independence and confidence while leaving a positive imprint on one’s life. Rebecca Carson Homes and Damian Tasovac attended Camp Hero.  After many attempts at other residential ideas, Rebecca finally found this camp which caters for young people, empowering them to become leaders. These students spent a week, completely out of their comfort zone, learning how to cope with mental health issues.

Millar Johnson, Year 12, did something equally exciting for his Residential Project. Along with Eve Pattiselanno, a Silver Award candidate, these students spent a little over a week forming part of the team on board the Leeuwin Sailing ship. These students departed from Fremantle and sailed to Geraldton in an unforgettable journey with other young people. Challenging to say the least!

Speaking of challenging, I spent the first part of my cold July Holidays down at the Stirling Range accompanying my son, Connor, on his adventurous journey.  This journey took adventure to a new level when he decided to climb 3 mountain peaks in 3 days with his friends. Bluff Knoll, the highest peak in WA, showed us what the term “cold” really meant as we reached the summit. Toolbrunup Peak was climbed on a freezing, rainy (and hail) day – successfully by all 5 boys. Completing the trip we ascended Castle Rock in the Porongorups, and its incredible walkway atop high rocks.

Looking back on the successes of the students who have challenged themselves in all three categories, I look forward to the fact that 4 more candidates from Years 11 and 12 have signed up to achieve Gold, making that 6 Gold Candidates this year from PCACS.

At the end of last year, I attended the inaugural Duke of Edinburgh’s Award conference which was held over two days and where many speakers showed me the great importance of programmes such as the D of E. In order to succeed in this busy world, a young person needs to design a resume based not entirely on ATAR results but on accomplishments that set them apart from others, particularly with leadership skills and service to the community. This gives them that extra edge that is needed today. My three Gold students were also awarded their Gold Awards by the governor, The honorable Kym Beasley, during an elaborate ceremony that took place at the Vines Resort along with Gold awardees from other schools. Many of our school staff members have agreed to mentor and assess students as they progress and I encourage many more students to sign up. Any information required about the Award can be accessed by emailing me c/o info@pcacs.wa.edu.au so that I can help set your child on his or her pathway.

Mrs Melanie Hunt
DUKE OF EDINBURGH COORDINATOR