A Botany Downs Secondary College student has achieved the world’s leading youth achievement award.
Emma Twentyman went through a number of challengers to receive her Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award.
It is designed to get young people experience outside the classroom in order for them to become “committed, responsible and fulfilled citizens of the world,” the Duke of Edinburgh International Award says on its website.
The award has three levels, says Botany College, and each is progressively more difficult.
Participants (16+) are required to complete four sections at each level – voluntary service, skills, physical reaction and adventurous journey.
Voluntary Service is where the participant must volunteer in their community and see how their service can make a positive difference.
In skills, the participant must improve on an existing skill or learn something new.
Physical recreation is designed to improve the health and fitness of the participant with them choosing a team sport, solo sport or another healthy activity.
On the participant’s adventurous journey, they are encouraged to go on a team expedition or exploration amongst wildlife.
The first three must average at least one hour per week on each section over a 12 month period.
Adventurous journey is four days/three nights, plus training and at least one practice journey.
When they reach gold level, they must also complete a residential project.
This involves spending five consecutive days and four nights in a residential setting in which the participant must be working “towards a common purpose”, for example, on a restoration project or volunteer work at a national park
Gold is the third and final level of the award. It takes a minimum of 12 months to complete.
“Emma has shown commitment and perseverance throughout the award,” Botany Downs says.
