Dilworth began running The Duke of Edinburgh International Awards in 2024, and earlier this year, the first students walked across the stage to receive their well-deserved Bronze awards.
We are delighted to announce the school's first Silver DoE awardee, Year 12 student Logan Brown, who achieved his Silver Duke of Edinburgh International Award (DoE) last week.
Director of Flourishing, Mr Richard van Dam, said Logan “Has set the bar high, attaining his silver standard in record time, quite an achievement given all the other pursuits he has on the go. He has forged the way forward and established a legacy for future Dilworth students to succeed at this level.”
So just what is involved with the Duke of Edinburgh awards?
The Duke of Edinburgh programme was founded in 1956 by the late Duke of Edinburgh. It is an internationally recognised initiative for secondary students that offers opportunities to develop skills, stay physically active, give back to others, and experience adventure.
Mr van Dam says, “This programme fits very naturally with Dilworth’s unique curriculum, as many components are part of our compulsory curriculum offering, including personal and social growth and learning outdoors”.
Students start at Bronze, and those who wish can advance to Silver and Gold. To earn the Silver award, students need to complete at least six months of work in three areas—volunteering, physical recreation, and a new skill—and undertake a three-day, two-night journey. There is also preparation and training, a practice journey and a Minimum of 1 day and a qualifying journey, which is a minimum of 3 days and 2 nights.
Yesterday, our DoE students volunteered by spending their lunchtime in the library with Mrs. White, making quilts for the neonatal unit at Middlemore Hospital. This kind of volunteering, which gives our students a window into the lives of others, is a regular activity that is part of this programme.
Logan chose to volunteer at a food bank for his service component.
Check out dofehillary.org.nz if you want to know more
Dilworth currently has 74 Year 10 students pursuing their Bronze awards, with more Year 11 students working on theirs.
"We are very encouraged by the number of students close to achieving the award," Mr. van Dam noted, "as it highlights their dedication and developing leadership. “
Logan has already achieved so much on his DoE journey. We look forward to seeing more Dilworth students complete their respective levels of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards as part of this fantastic programme.
