The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award concept “is one of individual challenge. It presents to young people a balanced, non-competitive program of voluntary activities which encourage personal discovery and growth, self-reliance, perseverance, responsibility to themselves and service to their community.”
The award consists of four separate components — Volunteering, Skills, Expeditions/Explorations and Physical Recreation. These provide an opportunity for students to acquire and develop skills, initiative and self-esteem, which will help them become more confident members of the community. The scheme is also highly regarded by many universities, employers and is a valuable addition to students’ resumes.
To obtain the Bronze Award students must complete the following sections:
- Service: Regular voluntary service activity spread over at least 3 months.
- Adventurous Journey: Complete training, a practice trip and a test journey with overnight camping. SCAS will organise and run a practice and test journey for each award level every year.
- Skills: Over at least a 3 month period, a cultural or social activity must be pursued leading to a deeper knowledge of the subject and the attainment of a reasonable degree of skill e.g. dance choreography, playing a musical instrument, coaching or refereeing.
- Physical Recreation: Regular participation in one physical activity for at least 3 months, resulting in some improvement in that activity.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a voluntary component of your child’s holistic education in the senior years at St Columba Anglican School. The School’s Awards Programme will be structured so that all students will complete the training and practice adventurous journey in conjunction with Year 9 camp. Prior to this camp, students must elect to undertake the whole of the Bronze award. This provides the opportunity for students to work towards the Silver and/or Gold Award in Years 10 and 11. Some students may continue their participation in the Award Scheme into Year 12, though due to other demands on students in this year it is generally discouraged.
The registration process of the Award must be done through the International Online Record Book site. (NB: on this site, our Operating Authority is New South Wales and the Award Unit is St Columba Anglican School). Payment is required to complete registration and can be completed through the Duke of Edinburgh website. Payment must be made via the credit card online option, however, if this is not possible, please do not hesitate to contact me for information on funding assistance. In 2020 the Bronze Award costs $140.00 and includes insurance for all activities undertaken. Further costs may apply for Adventurous Journeys and for your child’s choices of activities.
We hope that your son or daughter will take all the opportunities presented by this excellent program. If you have any questions about the Award, please do not hesitate to contact us by email or phone. You may also like to view this presentation or visit www.dukeofed.com.au for further information.
Mr Craigh Bushe and Mr Tony Judge
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Coordinators