ELDERSLIE HIGH SCHOOL
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
23 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.
A table of the requirements for each level of the award is attached.
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.
The Award is now also done “online”, bringing the D of E program up to date with current
technology. It is important that participants and parents are able to access internet facilities
either at home or school. More about these requirement’s will be explained to student’s that
successfully joins the award.
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 in consecutive weeks 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 kayaking or sailing.
At least one Practice Expedition and one Qualifying/Test Expedition are undertaken. These
are usually undertaken on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.
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.
KAYAKING or SAILING- These expeditions are not organised by the school but are
offered by Mr Robert Willey, a former teacher with extensive kayaking and sailing experience
and long involvement with the Award. Participants electing to pursue kayaking or sailing
negotiate expedition dates/times directly with myself and Mr Willey. More kayaking 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 at a later date.
Please indicate the preferred expedition type, kayaking 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 $110 will be charged to all successful applicants. This covers registration, school
administration and insurance for all activities undertaken for the Award at “BRONZE” level.
Each subsequent level will cost $110 (Silver) and $125 (Gold), for each participant to
participate. Participants are also normally liable for the extra costs associated with any
particular activity. (e.g. Equipment, food, maps, transport, kayak/sail boat hire). Currently, the
cost of expeditions is about $50 each day of an expedition, excluding food.
To Apply
Complete and return the permission note provided to Mr Marshall. Money ($110) can be paid
to the front office from Friday March 20th 2015 onwards. Remember that there are only
limited spaces available, 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 2015
(02)46581110
DUKE OF EDINBURGH - PERMISSION TO JOIN AWARD
This note must be returned to Mr Marshall by Friday March 20th, 2015, (week 8
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 $110.00 joining fee. Preferences
for the expedition type are:
(1) _____________________
(2) _______________________
Signed _______________________________ (parent / guardian).
Date___________________
The Award's requirements are as follows:The New Programme: Developed by the Award office.
Bronze
Silver
Gold
14 years and over
15 years and over
16 years and over
Service
Service
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
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
Choose one form of service and
undergo appropriate briefing (and
training if appropriate) then
undertake practical service averaging
1 hour a week spread over 12 months
OR
6 months if Service is chosen as
longest section
OR
12 months for non-Bronze holders if
Service is chosen as longest section
OR
18 months for non-Silver holders if
Service is chosen as longest section
Skills
Skills
Skills
Choose a Skill and follow it for an
average of 1 hour per week for a
minimum of 3 months
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
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
6 months if Skills is chosen as longest
section
OR
12 months for non-Bronze holders if
Skills is chosen as longest section
OR
18 months for non-Silver holders if
Skills is chosen as longest section
Physical Recreation
Physical Recreation
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
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
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
6 months if Physical Recreation is
chosen as longest section
OR
12 months for non-Bronze holders if
Physical Recreation is chosen as
longest section
OR
18 months for non-Silver holders if
Physical Recreation is chosen as
longest section
Expedition
Expedition or Exploration
Expedition or Exploration
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
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
Undertake and complete training and
3 practice trips (or at least two if they
have completed this 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