Two students from Whakatāne High School are among the first at the school to complete the bronze and silver levels of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award – and are already well under way with their Gold.

Year 12 student Trista Baker and year 13 student Beren Pearce are enjoying taking part in this internationally recognised programme, which challenges young people aged 14 to 24 to grow through physical activity, skill development, community service, and adventurous journeys.

Other students who have also completed award levels this year include, Ethan Robison and Annabel Caudwell – bronze; and Esther Pearce and Laura Hamill – silver.

The award, known in New Zealand as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award, is structured into three levels – bronze, silver, and gold – each requiring increased commitment and resilience.

“The silver award includes a physical activity, learning a new skill, volunteering, and completing an adventurous journey,” said Trista, whose activities included playing football in the First XI team, learning hip-hop dance, and teaching a dance class.

“For my adventurous journey, I went down to Lava Camp at Tongariro National Camp for a week where I did some hikes.

“Hiking is just up my alley, so it was pretty fun. For one of the days we hiked for 12 hours, which was quite intense.”

Beren’s journey included mountain biking, serving as a drill instructor and volunteering at the Air Training Corps.

“It has been heaps of fun. I was already doing the three parts of it but just those journeys to residentials I wouldn’t have done if I wasn’t doing the Duke of Edinburgh Award.”

Trista and Beren are now completing their gold level.

“For my gold, I have already done my residential on the Spirt of Adventure, 10 days up in Auckland,” said Beren.

Trista said part of her gold level had involved shadowing hiking groups at Tongariro: “I was making sure they were safe and making good decisions.”

Award co-ordinator Erin Nolan said 32 students were participating this year, and the award encouraged students to challenge themselves and give new activities a go.