The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award at SCEGGS

Going for a hike when there is nowhere to go!

The last couple of months have given us yet another lesson on how connected we are to the environment, and how dependent we are on its benevolence. Following on from bushfire smoke haze, the bushfires themselves, extreme temperatures and two years of COVID, the last few months have seen unprecedented rainfall swamp our attempts to further the program – initially due to the extreme weather itself, and currently due to the after-effects of closed National Parks. We apologise to all those who have been disadvantaged, but still urge our candidates to be patient and resolute; we have enough flexibility in the system to still complete all the expected hikes within the year, so that the girls will have caught up and be in a position to complete their Awards within a typical time frame.

We urge the girls to stay motivated with their Service, Skill and Recreation components, so that when their opportunity arrives to complete an Expedition, they will be able to finish off their Award without delay.

Fortunately, in the past few weeks we have managed to complete a Bronze and two Silver Expeditions., the first using a combination of exploring and navigating the “little paradise” of Dangar Island with camping at Crosslands, while the Silvers were completed in the Blue Mountains by using the few tracks that are still open and camping on private land. Special congratulations to the Silvers for coping with the cold autumn temperatures in Blackheath and Katoomba. We also appreciate the maturity shown by the girls in accepting the unusual arrangements and conditions forced upon us by the atypical routes and campsites.

Should there be any further questions or problems with your Award, please feel free to catch Ms Bower or Mr Swain around school, emailing to joannebower@sceggs.nsw.edu.au, or checking the Duke of Edinburgh website, or the SCEGGS Duke of Edinburgh resources on Cognito.

We look forward to two things: better weather, and seeing our SCEGGS girls bushwalking in the outdoors and enjoying the Australian environment at its most welcoming!

Joanne Bower and Doric Swain
Duke of Edinburgh Award Leaders