EIGHT students who graduated from Bede Polding College in 2015 have been recognised for their commitment, leadership and determination at a Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award ceremony.
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Jack Barham, Brodie Harris, Molly Hogan, Jack Lane, Joshua Maltese, Gabrielle Perkett, Lee Stubbs and Joshua Ward received their certificates from NSW Governor, General David Hurley, at an official ceremony at St Stephen’s Uniting Church in Sydney.
The Gold Award is the final level of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, which is a program designed to help young people build their skills to equip them for life and work.
To attain their Gold Awards, each of the eight Bede Polding students completed 12 months of consistent and continued participation of at least one hour per week in each of community service, a skill, and a sport.
Each student also undertook a five-day residential program requiring them to live away from home while being involved in a purposeful activity, along with two four-day hikes.
Bede Polding HSIE teacher and Duke of Edinburgh Award coordinator, Brett Windon, said he was proud of their achievements.
“I’ve been doing the Duke of Ed for 20 years in the Hawkesbury and having eight students in a year group all getting the Gold Award is quite a unique moment,” he told the Gazette.
“Universities today are crediting the Gold Award recipients with three ATAR points towards their HSC, recognising the importance of individuals that contribute positively to our society and who are willing to help others voluntarily.”
For the sport component of the award, the Bede Polding students participated in cricket, soccer, rugby union and personal fitness. For the volunteering quotient, the students represented the school at the Rural Fire Service at Kurrajong, Oakville and Wilberforce Brigades, as well as soup kitchens, local child care centres, nursing homes, and Pioneer Village at Wilberforce.
The residential project saw the students volunteer at YMCA holiday camps, farm stays, youth camps and study skills camps. Mr Windon led the students on two expeditions, the first at Barrington Tops National Park, and the second in the Budawangs Wilderness Area in Morton National Park.
“I’d like to personally acknowledge this group of Dukers. They’ve made me very proud,” said Mr Windon.
Bede Polding is supporting the Award again this year, and currently has 50 students going for Bronze, 20 for Silver, and 16 aiming to get their Gold Awards.