Duke of Edinburgh The Scots School

What is the Duke of Ed? Youth development program – with no social, political, or religious affiliations. It empowers young people to explore their full potential Long-standing 50 year tenure in Australia International Network of 143 countries and territories

Who is involved? Participants – aged 14 to 25 years Adult: Award Leaders Mr Harris Assessors Coaches and other suitably qualified individuals Supervisors Camp Guides

Key Elements Open to all – ages 14 to 25 years Three levels: Bronze, Silver and Gold each progressively more challenging Four sections: Physical Recreation Skill Service Adventurous Journey Plus Gold Level “Residential Project”

What is the Recognition? Achieving an Award recognises individual goal setting and self-improvement through persistence and achievement Empowers and opens doors for participants! The achievement of a Duke of Ed award is recognised internationally and highly valued by universities and future employers

Impact on Young People Through this challenging journey of self-discovery, participants will: Be equipped and empowered to achieve their personal best; Learn to take responsibility for goals and choices; Become connected to and actively engage with the immediate community; Make a real difference to society through positive contributions and involvement; Learn to persevere and overcome barriers to success; Learn important life skills; and Increase career opportunities.

Fundamentals of Award Requires regular participation, this usually means a minimum of 1 hour/week for each section The Award Leader helps facilitate students to make independent decisions and negotiate priorities through participation It has a flexible framework for all student situations Students create a social infrastructure; connecting to other people, institutions and other generations with the common purpose of student inclusion and development

Nuts and Bolts – The Framework Four sections: to achieve a Bronze or Silver Award Complete: Usually 1 year About 1 ½ years 2 years 5 sections are required for Gold Award including a Residential Project

The Sections Service – Volunteering of time E.g. Charity Work, volunteering with elderly, young or disabled; the environment; emergency services; animal welfare; teaching. Physical Recreation – Health, team skills and self-esteem Breaking a sweat and engaging in physical activity. E.g. ball sports, athletics, water sports, martial arts, animal sports, dancing, gymnastics

The Sections cont. Skills - Broadening personal interests and skill set in a non-physical manner – practical and social skills E.g. Music, sport officiating/umpiring, sportsground maintenance, Arts/Crafts, Nature and the environment (gardening, fishing, agriculture), games, IT/Communications, learning to drive

The Sections Cont. Adventurous Journey – Team journey or expedition, must be a challenge. Requires completion of a Practice Journey and Adventurous Journey

Adventurous Journey When? 11 to 14 September 2017 (Term 3) Reason? Bronze: 2 camps in 1 – Practice (Mon, Tue) and Qualifying (Wed, Thu) Silver: Practice Journey (Mon – Thu) Qualifying Journey (December)

KEY REQUIREMENTS SET A GOAL FIND AN APPROVED ASSESSOR (WWCC) / GET APPROVED COMPLETE AN HOUR PER WEEK TOWARDS GOAL LOG THE ACTIVITY ON THE ONLINE RECORD BOOK DOWNLOAD SUMMARY AND HAVE ASSESSOR COMPLETE THEIR REPORT SUBMIT TO MR HARRIS

Who is involved at School? All sports coaches Rugby, Netball, Cricket, Swimming, Fitness Music Teachers & Tutors Drum, Piano, Guitar, Brass instrument, Wind instruments Cadet Leaders, School Chaplain, Librarian Many school teachers Also many external Approved Assessors

Where do students logon? Stuck? See Mr Harris to reset or adjust details.

How YOU can help out Parental support is a key indicator of success in a participants program Your support, motivation and encouragement can help your son and daughter reach their goals! Regularly check in with your child on their progress. Please ensure the Parental Consent Form is completed and returned – further copies are available out the front. Family members cannot generally be Assessors, but, are you involved in a Skill, Service or Physical Recreation area?

Where can you find more information? The Duke of Edinburgh website (www.dukeofed.com.au)

More information? Printed Guides for Bronze Participants are available out the front – please take one Contact Chris Harris (DoE Co-ordinator) via: email: charris@scots.nsw.edu.au Phone: 02 6331 2766

Questions & Answers I am a sports coach, can I be my child’s assessor? No immediate family cannot be an assessor, another suitably qualified person will need to be the assessor. However, you can still coach, train, motivate and assist your child reach their goals. Cost? An initial registration fee is charged by the NSW Office of Sport and Recreation, for 2017 this is $150 and will be added to your account. An additional cost is associated with the compulsory Wolgan Valley Camp in Term 3, exact cost will be provided nearer the date, but will be split across Term 2 and Term 3 accounts.

Questions & Answers Can my child be paid to complete a component of their award? No, unless the payment is minimal such as to cover transportation. However, a student may work part-time at a butcher receiving payment and then opt to learn knife skills staying back after work, whilst they are not being paid. Can my child complete their award during school time? A participant cannot count time during normal academic hours (8:55am – 3:20pm) towards their award. However, if a student has private music lessons that requires them to catch up on missed work during school hours, this can be counted. Similarly, recess and lunchtime is outside of normal academic hours.

Questions and Answers My child is a border, what opportunities for service are available? The award is very flexible. Students have previously volunteered to: Assist with sound & lighting for chapel service and student assembly each week; Gardening around the school and on-site residences; Assist in boarding with specific duties; Pipes & Drums band jobs in the community; Sport coaching a junior school team; Leadership roles through Cadets; Online Scientific Research (www.zooniverse.org) Arranging external volunteering in town (Bathurst Information & Neighbourhood Clinic)

Questions?