College – Issue 43

The Salt siblings – Kynan and Rheon – reflect on testing their limits, strengthening their skills, being of service, and thriving while navigating the inspirational Duke of Edinburgh’s (DofE) Hillary Award to attain the prestigious Gold Award. They believe that the breadth and depth of the long-term positive outcomes highlight the need for every boy to tackle the DofE journey and to never give up, no matter the challenge.

Kynan Salt (Julius House 2016–2020)

What have you most enjoyed about the Duke of Edinburgh Award programme at College?

The most enjoyable aspect of the programme was completing the service component of the award. I completed service for the Christ’s College Environment Committee as part of the Eco-Action Nursery Trust plan, planting seedlings that would then go into the red

zone. I also completed service for disability support provider Hōhepa as part of the annual Julius House service day. Both opportunities allowed me to give back to the wider Christchurch community and to those less fortunate than myself.

Have there been any special Duke of Edinburgh Award highlights?

My Residential Project and Gold tramp in Borneo as a part of a World Challenge expedition was an award highlight. We stayed in the village of Batu Patong and completed our Residential Project helping the village build a wharf at the local river. I will never forget this once-in-a-lifetime experience. I embraced new cultures and environments, learning from

those within the village and beyond. It allowed me to see new parts of the world, and opened my eyes to other cultures and lifestyles. Overall, the trip was rewarding, and provided me with the skills to connect with those from different backgrounds, stemming from my personal experiences.

Why is it important to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award programme?

The award components target the three areas of service, skill, and physical recreation. The wide variety of co-curricular activities

puts you outside your comfort zone while providing experiences that further your skill-set.

COLLEGE 2023

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