The Minister for Education and Children has commented on the important life skills young people gain by participating in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award.
Tim Crookall MHK said:
'The award is unique in the range of skills it offers and how it helps young people prepare for the challenges of adulthood.
'Our ethos in education is to encourage young people to be resourceful, resilient and reflective and develop relationships and remembering skills in readiness for later life.
'The award complements the Department of Education and Children (DEC's) 6Rs curriculum perfectly in that it encourages young people aged 14 to 25 to set themselves physical and mental challenges, give back to the community and learn more about themselves in the process.'
Minister Crookall was speaking as he attended today's presentation, at Government House, to 14 students who have attained the highest level of the award.
His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, Adam Wood, presented gold award badges to Tom Anderson – Queen Elizabeth II High School (QEII); Johanna Bangero – Independent; Millie Barrow – QEII; Agata Bojanowska – St Ninian's High School (SNHS); Ryan Craig – SNHS; Edward Dunn – Ramsey Grammar School; Robin Gledhill – Castle Rushen High School (CRHS); Clare Harris – CRHS; Jake Hewins – The Foundry; Caitlin Maddrell – The Foundry; Daniel Phair – SNHS; Sarah Reeday – Adventurous Experiences; Joshua Riordan – The Foundry; Stephanie Ward – The Foundry.
The Youth Service – part of the DEC – has a licence to offer the award and more than 800 young people are taking it via 16 registered award units. These include all five DEC secondary schools and the Isle of Man College of Further and Higher Education.
In the past year, more than 340 young people have entered onto the award: 188 at bronze level, 86 silver and 53 gold. More than 160 have completed the award: 109 at bronze level and 46 at silver as well as today's recipients.
Participants commit to complete activities in volunteering, physical and skill sections for between three and 18 months depending on which level of the award they are striving for.
They also complete an expedition involving physical effort, which can be walking, cycling, canoeing/kayaking, sailing or horse-riding.
At gold level, the expedition takes place off-Island and local students visit such locations such as the Lake District, Snowdonia, the Mountains of Mourne, the Yorkshire Dales, the Isle of Skye and Vancouver Island.
Gold participants must also take part in four-night residential stay.
For more information on the Duke of Edinburgh's Awards, visit www.gov.im and click on 'D' on the menu.
Further details of the 14 recipients are below:
Tom Anderson –
QEII
Volunteering – helped with technical support at Church
Services
Skills – played the drums
Physical – rugby
Expedition – sea kayaking at Vancouver island
Residential – Volvo Award trip to Sweden
Johanna Bangero –
Independent
Volunteering – helped at Hospice IOM
Skills – learning first aid with St John Ambulance
Physical – kayaking
Expedition – walking in the Lake District
Residential – Sea Kayaking trip to the Isle of Skye
Millie Barrow –
QEII
Volunteering – helped in a Nursing Home
Skills – growing clothes
Physical – ballroom dancing
Expedition – walking in the Lake District
Residential – Photography Course in the Lake District
Agata Bojanowska –
SNHS
Volunteering – helped at a special needs youth club
Skills – advanced maths
Physical – horse riding
Expedition – walking in the Lake District
Residential – working week at Ardwhallan Outdoor Centre
Ryan Craig –
SNHS
Volunteering – trainee outdoor instructor at Ardwhallan
Outdoor Centre
Skills – First Aid
Physical – outdoor activities, including kayaking and climbing
Expedition – walking in the Lake District
Residential – Sea kayaking trip to the Isle of Skye
Edward Dunn –
RGS
Volunteering – helping at Maughold Church services and
events
Skills – playing the viola
Physical – hockey
Expedition – walking in Snowdonia
Residential – National Trust volunteer week in Yorkshire, building footpaths
Robin Gledhill –
CRHS
Volunteering – Trainee Instructor at Ardwhallan
Skills – playing the euphonium
Physical – fitness activities at a gym
Expedition – walking in the Lake District
Residential – Assistant at an Adventure Week at Ardwhallan
Clare Harris –
CRHS
Volunteering – helping in a local library
Skills – playing the piano
Physical – manx dancing
Expedition – walking in the Lake District
Residential – working week at Ardwhallan Outdoor Centre
Jake Hewins –
The Foundry
Volunteering – helping at a church youth club
Skills – learning to drive
Physical – fitness activities at a gym
Expedition – walking in the Mountains of Mourne
Residential – Youth Leader on a residential week at Capenwray Hall, Lancashire
Caitlin Maddrell –
The Foundry
Volunteering – teaching music at a drama school
Skills – drama
Physical – walking
Expedition – walking in the Mountains of Mourne
Residential – assistant instructor on a residential week at the Venture Centre
Daniel Phair –
SNHS
Volunteering – helping at a Cub Scout Unit
Skills – photography
Physical – walking
Expedition – Sea kayaking at the Isle of Skye
Residential – medical support worker in Nepal
Sarah Reeday –
Adventurous Experiences
Volunteering – helping in a school
Skills – drama
Physical – walking
Expedition – kayaking at Vancouver Island
Residential – Environmental & Conservation Week with Adventurous Experiences
Joshua Riordan –
The Foundry
Volunteering – Sports Leadership coaching hockey
Skills – dance appreciation
Physical – hockey
Expedition – walking in the Mountains of Mourne
Residential – Wilderness Experiences expedition to Nicaragua
Stephanie Ward –
The Foundry
Volunteering – group leader at a kids club at Broadway
Baptist Church
Skills – learnt first aid with St John Ambulance
Physical – tennis
Expedition – walking in the Mountains of Mourne
Residential – assistant leader with the Wales Youth Programme in Abersoch
