The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is an international award recognized in over 120 countries. More than 36,000 young people are involved in Canada alone, with 120 of those young people being right here at Pickering College.
Eight of these students earned their Bronze awards which required a minimum Community Service commitment of 6 months. These students had to complete at least 15 hours of community service during this time. They were involved in a variety of organizations such as the King Food Bank and Service Day. They also had to complete an overnight expedition. One student planned and executed his own trip on Lake Baptiste while the others were part of the school’s dogsled trip.
These participants also had to follow a skill development program of 6 months' duration. Our students used the school band, piano lessons and Driver’s Ed as some of their activities of choice.
The final commitment was a physical fitness program of at least 30 hours over 15 weeks. Our students competed on various school teams and participated in outside activities.
Congratulations to Jaymie Ford, Zain Nathoo, Christopher Sopuch, Carsten Turk, Carolyn Gillespie, Patty Zhao, Hee Soo Kim and Tiffany Lee on their achievement of the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze award.
Having already earned his Bronze and Silver awards, Alex Gillespie became the first student in PC history to earn his Gold Award. To achieve this he had to complete another 60 Community Service hours over a period of at least 12 months. He accomplished this through his tireless service to his church, Youth Action Committee (YAO) and Service Day. His expedition had to be 4 days and 3 nights, which he accomplished through our school’s Dog Sled trip. He used trumpet lessons for his 12 month skill program and for his physical recreation commitment of 50 hours, he earned his Swim Instructors’ Certification with the National Lifeguard Society, sailed competitively, and was on the Pickering Ski Team. He also had to complete a residential project where he had to be away from home for at least 5 days working and learning in a different environment.
Please join me in congratulating Alex Gillespie on his wonderful achievement.
Presented to Senior School Morning Meeting by Tom Lewis, Director of Leadership and Community Service.