The youth members of St John have had a number of significant achievements in 2018, divisional manager and area youth manager for Central Otago Tina Simmonds said.

There are 45 youth members in Wanaka, made up of ‘penguins’ aged six to nine-years-old and ‘cadets’ aged eight to 18-years-old, which divides what the young members do at St John.

The ‘penguin programme’ is educational and fun, involving games, activities and sports, plus offering trips, excursions, picnics and more. The older cadets are also offered a fun and educational programme which gives young people exciting opportunities through a varied programme tailored to individual needs.

Three Wanaka cadets achieve the Grand Prior’s Award this year, which Tina said was a huge achievement.

To earn the award, cadets set goals to achieve in any of 29 subjects and must complete six compulsory badges, six badges of the cadet's own choice, and 100 hours of community service. Once the 12 badges and community service are completed, the Grand Prior's Award is completed and awarded at a ceremony in the presence of the Governor General.

“The award is revised every year and is one of the best educational youth programmes in the world,” Tina said. “Learning objectives are built on the New Zealand Education Curriculum to ensure that cadets are given an edge outside of school and that we don’t overlap what is done in the classroom.”

Last weekend Maddi Frazer and Kenzie Muir were presented with the award at the Central Otago St John Prizegiving. Kate Goodsell, who also achieved the necessary tasks for the award, was unable to attend the ceremony. The three cadets join six St John Youth members who have earned the award in the past.

Two members also earned their ‘super penguin’ award this year, where ‘Penguins’ follow a course of nine badges, each divided into main topics. For each badge that is completed a Penguin is awarded a colourful sew-on badge and matching certificate. It normally takes two years to complete all nine badges.

This year’s new ‘super penguins’ were Emily Hunt and Isla Ingham.

Wanaka also achieved well at the South Island Competition at Living Springs, where St John Central Otago sent three youth groups.

“Along with one other team and four cadets competing as an individual, Central Otago came away with many places and for the first time ever took out the prize as champion district,” Tina said.

St John also presented its cup winners at the district prizegiving last weekend, with ‘outstanding penguin’ going to Harriet McKay, ‘outstanding green’ to Oli Wryth, while Lily Wilson earned the ‘outstanding blue’ and Eva Wilson ‘outstanding gold’.

Those interested in joining as a cadet or penguin can view the programme online at www.youth.stjohn.org.nz or email tina at the address listed above. The 2019 programme will start on February 12.

PHOTO: Supplied