23 Sep 2024
Sixteen Year 11 students at Plumpton High School, accompanied by teachers Ms McKenzie and Mr Simonovski, are currently on an incredible Adventurous Journey towards achieving the Duke of Edinburgh International Award Framework’s Gold Award. This marks the school’s second group of students to undertake this challenge, with nine students from the 2024 Year 12 cohort having recently completed the Gold level award.
Throughout this challenging adventure, the students are camping each night under the stars, creating unforgettable memories and pushing their limits in pursuit of personal growth and achievement. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Suamata Ae Su’a, Nadira Ali, Bhuvan Arumugam, Jericho Bregania, Haris Bukhari, Rochelle Cortez, Logan Dartnell, Lochlan Falzon, Jayden Manriquez, Matthew Marshall, Tobias Matikainen, Muhamad Moiz, Daniel Nisa-Blake, Isabella Southerwood, Justin Tran, and Abigail Vukovic for their courage, determination, and unwavering commitment.
Students will be following the itinerary below during their Adventurous Journey to The Northern Territory:
Day 1 20th September – Practice Hike (Day 1) Complete Uluru Base Walk, Students Fly to Uluru, shop for the next few days, Uluru Sunset. Camp at Ayres Rock Campground.
Day 2 21st September - Practice hike (Day 2) Sunrise at Kata Tjuta, Valley of the Winds walk - Drive to Kings Canyon & begin Giles Track, camp at Reedy Creek; Pack up and leave camp at 5am, Students need day bag with breakfast, snacks & lunch + hiking pack ready for overnight expedition on the Giles Track. Drive to Kata-Tjuta viewing platform for sunrise, arrive here at 5.40am, Our favourite Uluru sunrise spot! Continue on to the start of the Valley of the Winds Walk. Depart Valley of the Winds before 11.30am and drive across to Kings canyon, stop at Kings Creek Station. Arrive at Lila Community Giles Track head and begin walk at 3.30pm and complete the walk, arrive at camp - Rocky Creek- by 6pm and cook dinner.
Day 3 22nd September - Practice hike (Day 3) Complete Giles Track + Kings Canyon rim walk. Camp at Erldunda; 5.00 am wake up and leave at 5.45 am, begin walk and complete the Giles Track + Kings Canyon rim walk, Camp at Erldundra, Light up a fire with flint and steel and enjoy a great night out together, sleep in in the next morning and enjoy a morning fire.
We are immensely grateful to Ms McKenzie, Mr Canning, and Mr Simonovski for their dedicated support in providing our students with this incredible growth opportunity. Special thanks to Black Diamond Adventures for their assistance in helping our staff and students reach this significant milestone. We would also like to express our gratitude to The Duke of Edinburgh International Award Framework for their ongoing support of our school and students.
Stay tuned for further updates as the students continue their Adventurous Journey.
Tim Lloyd, Principal
