Auckland Girls Grammar School honoured at Graeme Dingle Foundation Excellence Awards

Two inspiring students from Auckland Girls Grammar School have been recognised for their outstanding courage at the Graeme Dingle Foundation 2018 Excellence Awards, held at AUT’s Sir Paul Reeves building recently.

Enya and Mana’s mentor, Sarah Blundell, says both girls showed tremendous growth and achievement during the programme.

“Starting from day one of the wilderness adventure as shy and uncertain girls, they have come leaps and bounds. Throughout the programme, they set and achieved relevant goals, and resolved challenges through clear communication and strong work ethic. Their ability to push forward with life’s challenges will put them in a good stead for a bright future.”

Project K is a 14-month mentoring programme designed for Year 10 students and involves three core components - wilderness adventure, community challenge and mentoring. It aims to arm young people with a powerful belief in their own ability to complete tasks, achieve goals, and find purpose and direction in their lives.

The evening was an opportunity to celebrate more than 27,000 students, their mentors, leaders and volunteers across the country who have been involved in the Foundation’s various youth development programmes including Kiwi Can, Stars, Career Navigator, Project K and MYND - over the previous 12 months.

It celebrated the incredible achievements of these amazing young people, many who have bounced back from hardship and conquered immense challenges to chart a positive course through life.

The Foundation’s namesake, mountaineer and outdoor education pioneer, co-founder Sir Graeme Dingle, says the Awards perfectly showcase what the Foundation lives and breathes – transforming young lives forever.

“The ethos of our Foundation is that we want all young New Zealanders to have a life full of possibilities so they can achieve their dreams and make the most of their unique talents. We want to help them build foundations for success.

“The Awards are an amazing opportunity to celebrate this country’s future - our children and young people. It provides a valuable platform for them to recognise their own strengths and muster, from within, the conviction to overcome challenges, both big and small. It is also a wonderful reminder of the incredible work that our mentors and volunteers deliver, day in and day out, for children and young people throughout the country.

“Each year, these kids blow me away with their courage, determination and resilience. It gives me a tremendous sense of joy to be able to recognise and acknowledge each and every one of our winners, who we are all so exceptionally proud of,” concludes Sir Graeme.

The annual Excellence Awards began life as the Project K Outstanding Student Award. They were first hosted by Governor-General Dame Sylvia Cartwright almost 20 years ago. The Awards provide an opportunity to honour and celebrate outstanding young New Zealanders across all of the Foundations programmes throughout New Zealand.

www.aggs.school.nz