Students at Sydney’s Oakhill College will be offered a replacement Duke of Edinburgh expedition after fuel supply concerns prompted the cancellation of their long-planned hike to Kosciuszko National Park. Source: Hills Shire Times.
Year 11 students at the independent Catholic college on Sydney’s north-western outskirts, were scheduled to complete their final Gold Duke of Edinburgh journey in the national park from April 16 to 20. The hike is a key milestone for the youth development program which the duke, Prince Philip, founded in 1956.
However, the school cancelled the trip about three weeks before departure, citing uncertainty around fuel availability and the risk of students and staff becoming “stranded” in a remote area, a school spokesman said.
The issue first gained attention after radio station 2GB revealed the cancellation on Monday, following a complaint from a concerned parent.
Despite the disruption, the school says it is now working on alternative arrangements to ensure students will still be able to complete the program.
A spokesman said the original decision had been made on the information that was available, taking responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of students and staff.
The spokesman did confirm an alternative trip and reaffirmed the school’s commitment to the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award requires participants to complete a multi-day hike as part of its Gold level, typically undertaken in remote locations.
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Oakhill College Castle Hill promises replacement Duke of Edinburgh trip (By Hannah Farrow, Hill Shire Times)
