The programme is designed so that you set your own goals and you only compete against yourself. It is a whole lot of fun and offers many great opportunities!

 

TIC Skills: Miss D Hay

TIC Service: Miss H McClure

TIC Physical: Mr G Eccles

TIC Expedition: Miss T Killop

Expedition Tutors: Mr A Jenkins, Mr S Hall

 

For further information on the programme, talk to any of the staff involved or visit the website http://www.challengenz.org.nz/

During the first term holidays “Team Ninja” embarked on their 23 kilometre qualifying journey in the Waitakere Ranges. These students are part of The Duke of Edinburgh Hillary Award programme that is available here at Avondale College.

 

The qualifying journey was over two days with an overnight sleeping in tents. The first day of the tramp was the most challenging when students had to ascend to the highest point in the Waitakere ranges (Te Toiokawharu), climbing to a height of 474 metres above sea level. Students left from The Huia dam car park at sea level and tramped to Odlins campsite where they camped before moving on to Whatipu to complete their journey. 

 

Teams who are involved in the journeys must have a purpose for the journey, and  Team Ninja’s purpose was to see how much and what types of rubbish is left in the outdoors by the public. Their results show that the more commonly used tracks like the tracks in the Cascade carpark area had a lot more rubbish than the more rugged walks out at Huia and Whatipu. Team Ninja also picked up all the rubbish they found and returned the rubbish to a proper disposal area.

 

A shadow party follows behind the students at a distance of approximately 100 metres, this is to allow the students to operate in an independent environment. Students are to wait for the shadow party at every intersection before deciding which way they need to proceed. The journey was a great success with the students gaining self confidence and developing a greater understanding and respect for the bush.

 

Team Ninja students: Eunice Ng, Joy Li, Elaine Lee, Shreshtha Maiti, Isabella Wilson

Shadow Party: Miss Killop, Mr Eccles, Miss Hay, Mrs Anderson

 

The Silver Award team also went for a tramp in the ranges. They had a three day 36 kilometre tramp with two overnights sleeping in tents. This tramp was part of a practice journey for the students. Silver Award teams need to complete two practice tramps before completing a 50 kilometre three day qualifying journey. The practice journeys are designed to prepare students for their qualifying journey. They learn all about bush craft, first aid, safety and survival, orienteering, map work, meal preparation, planning the journey and many other disciplines associated with being safe in the outdoors.

 

It was another successful journey that was enjoyed by all, although the students were rather relieved to see the gates at the end of the tramp!

 

Silver Award team: Freya Brehmer – Hine, Skye Hurst, Kaitlin Le Lievre, Jasmine Korff.

Shadow party: Mr Anderson, Miss McClure, Miss Klosser, Mr Jenkins

 

For more photos of the expedition, check out our photogallery.