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Otago Daily Times
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Shy student now spreading his wings
Proud To Be Me is a series celebrating the people of Selwyn. Today's focus is Arran Armstrong, a young man who is going places. Less than three years ago, Arran Armstrong was a quiet, shy student at Darfield High School who was most comfortable in the confines of the family home and preferred others to do the talking. Last month, that same young man from Kirwee took to the stage at Government House to address a roomful of high-ranking officials after receiving his Duke of Edinburgh Gold Medal. Armstrong said the medal was the culmination for two years of pushing himself to new limits and exploring the world around him. 'It all started in my last year at school, when I realised I was spending most of my spare time in my room watching videos, so I decided one day that I was going to stop being so timid and start trying new things and take on leadership opportunities,' he said. Armstrong, 19, said he was inspired by fitness YouTubers to get his body moving and, around that same time, Darfield High was advertising for students to enrol for the Duke of Edinburgh Awards programme. The programme encourages youngsters to explore the outdoors, gain confidence, learn new skills, give back to the community, and push their boundaries by trying new experiences. 'Two teachers at Darfield High were keen to get students involved, so I signed up to test myself a bit more and get active,' he said. Armstrong said the Duke of Edinburgh experience opened his eyes to new opportunities and initially he decided to do an extra year at Darfield High to try different subjects and test his leadership skills on the board of trustees. 'A lot of my friends and family questioned why I voluntarily would do another year at high school after graduating,' said Armstrong, who then unexpectedly did a u-turn after spending the summer in the outdoors. 'I took part in Outward Bound as part of my Duke of Ed and completed the Abel Tasman trail and realised I wanted to see the real world and have more adventures instead of staying in my bubble in Darfield.' The youngster resigned from the school board, packed his bags and went in search of more adventures in Europe. 'I was lucky that I had saved a bit of money in an old savings account and from a job at the brick factory in Darfield, so I just took off.' He initially travelled around Britain, but decided to push himself by exploring other cultures with foreign languages. 'It was pretty daunting, but I was adamant that I wanted to push myself by going to places where I could not speak the language. And in the process, I got lots of exercise carrying my pack around Europe day after day and staying in places on my own for weeks at a time, which both contributed to the criteria for the Gold Medal.' Armstrong said his adventures have changed him forever and the 'old' Arran would have never been confident enough to deliver a speech in front of Dr Richard Davies, husband of Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro, the executives of the Hillary Trust and Duke of Edinburgh Trust, as well as other recipients and their families. 'The ceremony was great. It was cool to be in Government House and it was great they invited us there. But it wasn't as fancy as I had thought.' Armstrong is now on his next journey at Canterbury University where he studies geography, as well as French, Russian and Spanish. He is also training to become a qualified scouting leader.
Otago Daily Times
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Shy Canterbury student now spreading his wings
Proud To Be Me is a series celebrating the people of Selwyn. Today's focus is Arran Armstrong, a young man who is going places. Less than three years ago, Arran Armstrong was a quiet, shy student at Darfield High School who was most comfortable in the confines of the family home and preferred others to do the talking. Last month, that same young man from Kirwee took to the stage at Government House to address a roomful of high-ranking officials after receiving his Duke of Edinburgh Gold Medal. Armstrong said the medal was the culmination for two years of pushing himself to new limits and exploring the world around him. 'It all started in my last year at school, when I realised I was spending most of my spare time in my room watching videos, so I decided one day that I was going to stop being so timid and start trying new things and take on leadership opportunities,' he said. Armstrong, 19, said he was inspired by fitness YouTubers to get his body moving and, around that same time, Darfield High was advertising for students to enrol for the Duke of Edinburgh Awards programme. The programme encourages youngsters to explore the outdoors, gain confidence, learn new skills, give back to the community, and push their boundaries by trying new experiences. 'Two teachers at Darfield High were keen to get students involved, so I signed up to test myself a bit more and get active,' he said. Armstrong said the Duke of Edinburgh experience opened his eyes to new opportunities and initially he decided to do an extra year at Darfield High to try different subjects and test his leadership skills on the board of trustees. 'A lot of my friends and family questioned why I voluntarily would do another year at high school after graduating,' said Armstrong, who then unexpectedly did a u-turn after spending the summer in the outdoors. 'I took part in Outward Bound as part of my Duke of Ed and completed the Abel Tasman trail and realised I wanted to see the real world and have more adventures instead of staying in my bubble in Darfield.' The youngster resigned from the school board, packed his bags and went in search of more adventures in Europe. 'I was lucky that I had saved a bit of money in an old savings account and from a job at the brick factory in Darfield, so I just took off.' He initially travelled around Britain, but decided to push himself by exploring other cultures with foreign languages. 'It was pretty daunting, but I was adamant that I wanted to push myself by going to places where I could not speak the language. And in the process, I got lots of exercise carrying my pack around Europe day after day and staying in places on my own for weeks at a time, which both contributed to the criteria for the Gold Medal.' Armstrong said his adventures have changed him forever and the 'old' Arran would have never been confident enough to deliver a speech in front of Dr Richard Davies, husband of Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro, the executives of the Hillary Trust and Duke of Edinburgh Trust, as well as other recipients and their families. 'The ceremony was great. It was cool to be in Government House and it was great they invited us there. But it wasn't as fancy as I had thought.' Armstrong is now on his next journey at Canterbury University where he studies geography, as well as French, Russian and Spanish. He is also training to become a qualified scouting leader.
Otago Daily Times
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
'Stop being so timid and start trying new things': Shy student now spreading his wings
Proud To Be Me is a series celebrating the people of Selwyn. Today's focus is Arran Armstrong, a young man who is going places. Less than three years ago, Arran Armstrong was a quiet, shy student at Darfield High School who was most comfortable in the confines of the family home and preferred others to do the talking. Last month, that same young man from Kirwee took to the stage at Government House to address a roomful of high-ranking officials after receiving his Duke of Edinburgh Gold Medal. Armstrong said the medal was the culmination for two years of pushing himself to new limits and exploring the world around him. 'It all started in my last year at school, when I realised I was spending most of my spare time in my room watching videos, so I decided one day that I was going to stop being so timid and start trying new things and take on leadership opportunities,' he said. Armstrong, 19, said he was inspired by fitness YouTubers to get his body moving and, around that same time, Darfield High was advertising for students to enrol for the Duke of Edinburgh Awards programme. The programme encourages youngsters to explore the outdoors, gain confidence, learn new skills, give back to the community, and push their boundaries by trying new experiences. 'Two teachers at Darfield High were keen to get students involved, so I signed up to test myself a bit more and get active,' he said. Armstrong said the Duke of Edinburgh experience opened his eyes to new opportunities and initially he decided to do an extra year at Darfield High to try different subjects and test his leadership skills on the board of trustees. 'A lot of my friends and family questioned why I voluntarily would do another year at high school after graduating,' said Armstrong, who then unexpectedly did a u-turn after spending the summer in the outdoors. 'I took part in Outward Bound as part of my Duke of Ed and completed the Abel Tasman trail and realised I wanted to see the real world and have more adventures instead of staying in my bubble in Darfield.' The youngster resigned from the school board, packed his bags and went in search of more adventures in Europe. 'I was lucky that I had saved a bit of money in an old savings account and from a job at the brick factory in Darfield, so I just took off.' He initially travelled around Britain, but decided to push himself by exploring other cultures with foreign languages. 'It was pretty daunting, but I was adamant that I wanted to push myself by going to places where I could not speak the language. And in the process, I got lots of exercise carrying my pack around Europe day after day and staying in places on my own for weeks at a time, which both contributed to the criteria for the Gold Medal.' Armstrong said his adventures have changed him forever and the 'old' Arran would have never been confident enough to deliver a speech in front of Dr Richard Davies, husband of Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro, the executives of the Hillary Trust and Duke of Edinburgh Trust, as well as other recipients and their families. 'The ceremony was great. It was cool to be in Government House and it was great they invited us there. But it wasn't as fancy as I had thought.' Armstrong is now on his next journey at Canterbury University where he studies geography, as well as French, Russian and Spanish. He is also training to become a qualified scouting leader.
Daily Record
06-05-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Airdrie and Coatbridge Sea Cadets look to sail into bright future with even more members
Under stewardship of commanding officer John Hamilton, organisation aims to get "back to the strength it was in many years ago" with Junior Sea Cadet, Senior Sea Cadet and Royal Marines Cadet divisions. Airdrie and Coatbridge Sea Cadets are having oceans of fun as they look to sail into a bright future. Under the ship-shape stewardship of commanding officer John Hamilton, the organisation aims to get "back to the strength it was in many years ago" with Junior Sea Cadet, Senior Sea Cadet and Royal Marines Cadet divisions. The cadets, who are working in the local community to "give young people access to incredible opportunities", are keen to raise awareness of their wonderful work - and welcome new members. Based in the Mission Hall in Airdrie's Motherwell Street, the team offers a wide range of activities and adventures to youngsters who will "learn teamwork, respect, loyalty, self-confidence, commitment, self-discipline, honesty and how to be the best version of themselves". John Hamilton, who became commanding officer in July last year, told Lanarkshire Live: "We have grown to nine seniors and recruited three juniors and meet every week. "Since March we have held a monthly day of boating and we offer ceremonial and seamanship drills, basic boating, physical training and first aid among our syllabus. "The cadets get certificates and badges when they complete their work and there are monthly divisional inspections. "We have three cadets taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards work just now." When John joined Airdrie and Coatbridge Sea Cadets last year he was keen to develop and grow the organisation. He said: "The unit was actually earmarked for potential closure and they asked me to take it on and I said, 'hands down, yes'. "It was a no-brainer for me and I wanted to boost engagement, awareness and success. "The cadets were previously reviewed once a year but I reduced it to every six months. "Our scores have improved a lot in the past few months and our recent monthly inspection night saw over 25 certificates and badges awarded to our cadets and adult volunteers. "Awards were given for achieving qualifications in first aid, rowing, powerboating and many others." John added: "We aim to raise awareness of who we are and what we do. "We offer a range of different activities, from sailing, windsurfing and powerboating to rock climbing, camping, and music. "We have Junior and Senior Sea Cadet and Royal Marines Cadet divisions and hold water sports at the purpose-built Port Edgar boating station. "The organisation has 14 volunteers in total, with a four-unit management team, and we are keen to see more youngsters come along and be part of the group. "The kids are embracing wearing their uniforms and love having their parents and families turn out to see them during inspections. "Since I came in, the pride level in what the youngsters do has dramatically increased, as well as how they look after their uniforms. "I was a cadet when I was younger and became a petty office when I was 18, so I know exactly how rewarding it is to be part of an organisation like ours." To find out more information about Airdrie and Coatbridge Sea Cadets, or register an interest in joining, visit their website or Facebook page, or call John on 07904 886524.
