With the sad passing of the Duke of Edinburgh it is pertinent for us to acknowledge the impact that part of his legacy, the Duke of Edinburgh Award, has had for our students. The Award was founded by the Duke in 1956 and Orewa College became involved in 1976 under the leadership of teacher Drew Parsons with hundreds of students over the years being part of the Award programme ever since.

In 2021, 120 Orewa College students are participating in the Award which 'builds skills, confidence and resilience that students need to support their communities and be ready for the world'. Thanks to the foresight of the Duke of Edinburgh we will continue to ensure that his vision for many young people continues to flourish at Orewa College.