THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH'S AWARD
Dear Parent/Guardian,
Your son/daughter has indicated that he/she may wish to
participate in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award at Elderslie High School. Information concerning the operation of
the scheme is outlined below. The Award has been operating at Elderslie High
School for over 18 years. In that
time, many students have taken the opportunity to gain Bronze, Silver and Gold level Awards.
The Award offers young people the opportunity to achieve through a
non-competitive program of community service, adventurous, practical and
physical activities, embracing the compulsory sections of Service, Expedition, Skill and Physical Recreation.
Instruction and assessment of each
section is normally undertaken by an adult who has experience or qualifications
in the particular activity. It is preferred that parents do not assume this role unless
absolutely necessary.
A table of the requirements for each level of the award is
attached.
Weekly time requirements
The time requirements
for Skill, Physical Recreation and Service now require that participants must
undertake at least one hour of activity
per week and not average
out hours over a monthly period as has often been the case. This is designed to
prevent large blocks of hours being completed on an infrequent basis.
Involvement encourages participants to acquire and develop skills
in perseverance, initiative and self-confidence whilst setting and achieving
particular goals. Their energy is
channelled into activities accordingly. Employers recognise and appreciate the
value of the scheme and the qualities developed in the participants who have
achieved an Award.
Expeditions
These involve overnight trips either bush walking, canoeing or
sailing.
At least one Practice Expedition and one Qualifying/Test
Expedition (normally in Spring) are undertaken. These are usually undertaken on
a Wednesday, Thursday or Friday
Before expeditions a training day is required, so that assessors
can ensure each participant's readiness.
After each test expedition, a written report must be submitted.
IT CANNOT BE GUARANTEED THAT A MALE AND FEMALE SUPERVISING ADULT
ARE AVAILABLE FOR EVERY EXPEDITION. THIS HAS NOT CAUSED PROBLEMS IN THE PAST. HOWEVER, IF THIS CONCEPT CAUSES CONCERN FOR PARENTS OF FEMALE
PARTICIPANTS, PLEASE CALL TO DISCUSS THE MATTER.
BUSHWALKING -The school organises and supervises
these. They are relatively low-cost expeditions which
require at least average fitness as well as access to suitable gear.
Participants are required to attend a "training day" early in the year which covers basic navigation, first aid and camp
craft. Occasionally each group will have to arrange for a second adult to
accompany the supervising teacher. If no parent or other adult is prepared to
assist then that expedition does not proceed. Expeditions take place in Royal
Nat. Park and Nattai National Park (Bronze), Blue MtnŐs
Nat. Park (Silver) and Budawangs AND Kosciosko Nat. Park (Gold).
CANOEING or SAILING- These
expeditions are not organised by the school but are offered by Mr Robert
Willey, a former teacher with extensive canoeing and sailing experience and
long involvement with the Award. Participants electing to pursue canoeing or
sailing negotiate expedition dates/times directly with Mr Willey but they are
normally held at the same time as bush walks so school interruption is
minimised. More canoeing and sailing details will be made available for
participants choosing these activities.
Choosing an expedition
type
There is no formal limit on the number of participants who may
elect to do the award. However because there are limits to the school's ability
to supply supervising teachers and assessors for expeditions there may be a
limit to the total number of bronze level participants permitted to choose some
expedition types. Participants who change from one type of expedition to
another will have to complete extra expeditions so applicants should choose
wisely at bronze level as it may not be convenient, or even possible, to
change.
Please indicate the preferred expedition type, bush walking,
canoeing or sailing, on the application form. Remembering that due to numbers
it may not be possible to run some groups. Negotiations will be made with
participants if this were to occur. If you only wish to be considered for one
expedition-type just write a 1st preference.
Commitment
Involvement in the scheme is, of course, voluntary. However participants, and their
parents, should understand that success is dependent upon personal commitment to the completion of Award requirements. Participants who are unable to develop
the necessary self discipline to attend all meetings
at school and to keep up to date with their activities and record-keeping will
find it extremely difficult to complete their Award and are likely to drop out
early.
Exclusion from the
Award
Expeditions and other Award activities have occasionally been
spoiled, for participants and supervisors, by the behaviour of individuals who
choose not to cooperate or comply with instructions. These students have been
and will continue to be excluded from all subsequent involvement in the Award
at Elderslie High. Furthermore, any student whose behaviour at school
deteriorates to the extent that they are placed onto "yellow" or "red"
level in the school's discipline system will not be allowed to continue. We
cannot risk the safety and enjoyment of others.
Costs Involved
A fee of $85 will be charged to all successful applicants. This
covers insurance for all activities undertaken for the Award as well as an
official Record Book and a display folder for information sheets, expedition
reports and records of other activities. Participants are also normally liable
for the extra costs associated with any particular activity. (e.g. maps, transport, canoe/sail boat hire).
To Apply
Complete and return the permission note provided to Mr Marshall.
Money must be paid to the front office from Friday February 13th onwards.
Remember that there are only limited spaces available, especially in canoeing
or sailing, and expeditions will operate on a first in first served basis.
Please do not hesitate to call if you have inquiries, or if you
feel that you can assist in any way.
Yours
faithfully,
Paul
Marshall
Duke of
Edinburgh Scheme Coordinator 2009
(02)46581110
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DUKE OF EDINBURGH - PERMISSION TO JOIN AWARD
This note must be returned by Monday
March 2, 09, (week6 term1) so that administrative matters can be attended
to.
My son /
daughter ______________________ of roll class ________ has permission to join
the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. Enclosed is the $85.00 joining fee.
Preferences for the expedition type are:
(1) ______________ (2) _______________ (3) _______________
Signed _________________________ (parent / guardian). Date________
The Award's requirements are as follows:-
The New Programme: Developed by the
Award office in 2007)
|
Bronze 14 years and over |
Silver 15 years and over |
Gold 16 years and over |
|
Service
Choose one form of Service and
undergo appropriate briefing (and training if appropriate) then undertake
practical service averaging 1 hour a week spread over 3 months OR 6 months if Service is chosen
as longest section |
Service
Choose one form of service and
undergo appropriate briefing (and training if appropriate) then undertake
practical service averaging 1 hour a week spread over 6 months OR 12 months for non-Bronze
holders if Service is chosen as longest section |
Service Choose
one form of service and undergo appropriate briefing (and training if appropriate) then undertake practical service averaging
spread over 12 months
OR 18
months for non-Silver holders if Service is chosen as longest section |
|
Skills
Choose a Skill and follow it
for an average of 1 hour per week for a minimum of 3 months OR 6 months if Skills is chosen
as longest section |
Skills
Choose a Skill and follow it
for an average of 1 hour per week for a minimum of 6 months for those who have
completed Bronze OR 12 months for non-Bronze
holders if Skills is chosen as longest
section |
Skills Choose a Skill and follow it
for an average of 1 hour per week for a minimum of 6 months for those who have
completed Silver OR 18
months for non-Silver holders if Skills
is chosen as longest section |
|
Physical
Recreation Involvement and improvement in
overall performance and knowledge of one chosen activity and perform
regularly for an average of 1 hour per week for a minimum of 3 months OR 6 months if Physical
Recreation is chosen as longest section |
Physical
Recreation Involvement and improvement in
overall performance and knowledge of one chosen activity and perform
regularly for an average of 1 hour per week for a minimum of 6 months OR 12 months for non-Bronze
holders if Physical Recreation is chosen as longest section |
Physical Recreation Involvement
and improvement in overall performance and knowledge of one chosen activity and perform regularly for an average of 1 hour per
week for a minimum of 12 months OR 18 months for non-Silver
holders if Physical Recreation is chosen as longest section |
|
Expedition
Undertake and complete
training and a practice trip and a test expedition over 2 days and 1 night.
Expeditions may be bushwalking, canoeing, cycling, boating or horse riding |
Expedition
or Exploration Undertake and complete
training and 2 practice trips (or at least one if they have already completed
this section at Bronze in a similar mode) and then complete a test Expedition
over 3 days and 2 nights |
Expedition or Exploration Undertake and complete training and
two if they
section at Bronze
or at least 1 if they have completed this section at Silver in a similar mode) and then
complete a test expedition of 4
days and 3 nights |
|
|
|
Residential Project Undertake some shared activity
either through voluntary service or training away from home for a period of 5
consecutive days |