Congratulations to Olivia Dixon (13E2 in 2024) on achieving her Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award. In the Gold award, participants are required to undertake a service, develop a skill, and participate in a physical recreation activity each of which must be completed over a period of 12 months. At the Gold level, a 5th section is added which is the residential project. This is where a participant undertakes a purposeful activity away from home for five consecutive days in the company of other people outside of school, clubs, or work.
While working on the gold award, Olivia completed several different activities. These included improving her performance to complete her sprint time in the triathlon, playing piano and volunteering at the Pakuranga Athletics Club helping tiny tots with their activities. Olivia spent 13 days on an Outward Bound Course, providing community service by building concrete retaining walls and raking roads, putting in practice all the skills she learned in the bronze and silver adventurous journeys.
Olivia started her Duke of Edinburgh Award journey in 2021. During this time, she has developed her leadership skills, built up resilience, and challenged herself to move out of her comfort zone, all while embracing the opportunities that the Award has to offer. She has been a dedicated participant of the Award programme and is a well-deserving recipient of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award at a Gold level.
~ Mrs D Bottom, Duke of Edinburgh School Co-ordinator
