“A lot of it was stuff I was doing anyway. It just required registering and logging it so it could be recorded. “The Duke of Edinburgh certainly gave me the motivation last year to go to Malaysia, for example, and it got me doing the residential component, and out doing service. It also motivated me to improve my skills in polo and shooting.” Connor believes the award is a good thing to have achieved for his future career, regardless of which direction he takes. “I imagine that coming up there will be many places to use it.”
For now, anticipating his name on the Duke of Edinburgh Honours Board in the Assembly Hall foyer is enough. Connor’s father, Old Boy Chris Graham already has his name there, having gained his Duke of Edinburgh award while at College in the 1980s. Christ’s College is one of few schools which enable every student to start on the award, and Graeme says the components closely reflect what the school expects of its College graduate. “The boys need to learn to make time to develop skills outside the classroom. The service component
embodies what we’re about at College – giving voluntary service to the school and community at large. Learning to develop the habits to keep physically active and adventurous is another expectation of our boys.” He’s happy to help any boy at any time. “Just get in touch. This is a qualification you won’t regret!”
John set on completing Gold award Harper House Year 13 student John An plans to complete his Gold award after he leaves school – and he may be first on a proposed new Honours Board acknowledging those who finish the qualification once they have left College.
John believes the seven years he has to complete the gold award will be more than adequate, even given the demanding schedule he expects to be working in. He has enjoyed every aspect of attaining the bronze and silver awards, challenging himself in the provision of a service component which saw him tutoring and mentoring primary and secondary students for free, principally in the Sciences and Mathematics.
The second Honours Board will be installed so that students who complete the award by age 24, can also be recognised. “I would be honoured to be the first on it,” says John, 17, who has been resolute about completing the Duke of Edinburgh since he
started his Bronze award in Year 10. With his sights set on engineering, and
university study in Australia beckoning, he sees the award as an international qualification which will speak volumes about him and his abilities. “My future goal is wider than just completing it and staying local. I want to go out in to the bigger world and experience life doing practical things with people all around the world. The Duke of Edinburgh award, with its different components, speaks volumes about those who have it, and tells prospective employers that the candidate is of a certain calibre and capability.”
Christ’s College Canterbury
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