Last Sunday, 23 and Monday, 24, our Bronze Award Duke of Edinburgh participants completed their Qualifying Adventurous Journey in the Waitākere Ranges.

The Adventurous Journey is a key component of the Duke of Edinburgh Award, designed to build resilience, teamwork, and a spirit of adventure. Our students embraced these challenges as they planned, prepared and carried all the equipment, food and gear required for their overnight expedition.

The group set off from Whatipu, following the Gibbons Track before turning onto the Muir Track and making their way down into the beautiful Pararaha Valley. Along the way, students put their map-reading skills to the test and demonstrated confidence in essential outdoor skills such as route planning and hut craft. After arriving at the Pararaha Valley campsite, they set up for an evening of teamwork, cooking, and fun.

Monday morning saw the group pack up and make the return journey to Whatipu, this time along the beach. The weather was fantastic, and the swim in the Muir Stream was much-needed and a highlight for many.

Thanks once again to Ms Kate Crews and Mr. Mark Loveridge for their organisation and supervision of this group of enthusiastic and capable students. Students and teachers had a wonderful time.