12 Nov 2018
On Wednesday the 31st of October, 25 of our Year 9 students set off to the Grampains National Park to partake in their Qualifying Adventurous Journey as a requirement of the Duke of Edinburgh Award. The award is Internationally recognised and enables participants to develop their skills across a range of areas and therefore become valuable members of society in the school and wider community.
The Grampians hike is the culmination of the program and challenges our participants both mentally and physically. The students were required to pack all of their food, equipment and clothes for the two-day expedition and carry it for a total of 25 kilometres over the mountainous and rocky terrain. I was particularly impressed with the teamwork and comradery that everyone demonstrated, offering assistance to navigate difficult terrain, setting up tents and freely encouraging other group members. All of the hard work summiting the Pinnacle and Mt Rosea was worth it when we were able to take in the spectacular views of Halls Gap and surrounds after taking on over 1,000m of elevation.
At the end of the journey, participants were offered the opportunity to reflect on the hike and the challenges it presented:
- What ‘rocked’ – camp, campfire games and stories, the views, the group spirit
- What will ‘stick’ with them – Challenges are needed to improve ourselves, the memories
- What they will ‘leaf’ behind – The negativity and the sore legs!
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our assessors for 2018. The success of the award and development of our participants relies on the commitment of many community members to assist students in developing their skills and achieving their goals. Deniliquin High School is very grateful to have such wonderful support from the community in delivering the Duke of Edinburgh Award.