The Duke of Edinburgh's International award is a program that provides, promotes and preserves a framework of Award participation that equips, engages and empowers all young people in Australia to explore their full potential. It encourages students to design their own individual program, which is tailored to meet their personal circumstances, choices and local provision. The award inspires individuals to exceed their expectations, set challenges and goals before starting an activity and aim for these goals by showing improvement.
The award program melds with the IB Diploma and forms a solid foundation for completing the CAS requirements, especially the Duke of Edinburgh section requirements for service, skill and activity. In addition to these sections, participants are also required to complete a practice and qualifying Adventurous Journey- a journey with a purpose.
The aim of the Adventurous Journey component is to provide participants with the opportunity to learn more about the wider environment, as well as to develop their self-confidence, team work and health. Participants are taken out of their comfort zone- in an unfamiliar environment but kept within a safe and secure setting, achieved through suitable training and supervision.
This week our Duke of Edinburgh Silver students embarked on their Practice Adventurous Journey, facilitated by experts from Numinbah Valley Environmental Education Centre. The silver (3 days and 2 nights) practice journey allows our students to prepare, plan and experience skills in an unfamiliar environment to ensure their qualifying journey is safe and successful.
Below are reflections from Duke of Edinburgh participants:
Matilda Duhig - Year 11 Student
Over the past few days, under the guidance of Mrs. Lee, Mrs. Curtin, and our Award Leader Kalindi, a group of students successfully completed their Duke of Edinborough Silver Adventurous Journey. The three-day expedition involved hiking a total of 25.5 kilometres, during which we carried all the necessary equipment for overnight camping, including tents, cooking gear, and water.
The weight of our backpacks, combined with the unfamiliar and sometimes challenging terrain, made the journey physically demanding for many of us. This difficulty encouraged strong teamwork and effective communication. Using radios, we coordinated our pacing and scheduled breaks to ensure that everyone could stay together and manage the trek more comfortably.
Throughout the camp, leadership and collaboration were key themes. We worked in groups to prepare meals, which helped us build camaraderie and complete tasks more efficiently. Along the way, we encountered a variety of landscapes, and Kalindi enriched our experience by teaching us about the local flora and fauna. She also shared stories and cultural insights related to the Indigenous Australian heritage of the areas we visited, deepening our connection to the land.
One of the most memorable aspects was gaining a deeper appreciation for nature and its complex ecosystems. We learned, for example, about the importance of hollow-bearing trees in supporting biodiversity.
Overall, this journey was an incredible experience—challenging, educational, and deeply rewarding. I would highly recommend it to anyone considering the Duke of Edinborough Award.
Sandeep Panchumarthi - Year 11 Student
The Duke of Edinburgh Practice Adventurous Journey was a highlight of my time so far at QAHS. It involved a hiking and camping journey in the forests of Numinbah Valley with my fellow peers. During this journey, we had a lot of fun while hiking, admiring the natural scenery, taking photos, cooking food and camping. Although I was reluctant at first, I really enjoyed this 3 day camp and it was a great way to unwind from a challenging exam block. It was my first time ever going hiking or camping, and my friends and teachers were essential in making this camp the best . Overall, it was a 10/10 experience, and I would recommend the program to anyone looking for 3 days of fun in the woods with some mates.
A special thank you to Ms. Pamela Curtin for accompanying the students on their practice journey.
Our students will complete their qualifying journey in Lamington National park in July.
Alita Lee
Deputy Principal