S T G EORGE C HRISTIAN S CHOOL
PO Box 144 Ramsgate NSW 2217 Office: 70 Bellevue Parade Hurstville
p: 02 9547 2311 f: 02 9547 2867 e: office@sgcs.com.au w: www.sgcs.com.au abn: 60 002 690 833
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The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
General Information 2015
St George Christian School is a Registered Operator for the Duke of Edinburgh’s
Award (DEA).
What is the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award?
It is an international award program for young people 14 to 25 in which they set
their own goals in consultation with the DEA Coordinator. They do not compete
against others so it is possible for any young person who perseveres to achieve the
Award.
There are three levels in the award: Bronze, Silver and Gold.
At SGCS the entry level is at Bronze in Year 9.
The scheme was initially set up in inner city England to ensure that young people
who embarked on the scheme had well-rounded lives and purpose.
Unlike other awards the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award complements rather than
competes with the student’s already busy life style.
There are four sections - Service, Skill, Physical Recreation and ‘Adventurous
Journey’. The first three are not done during school hours, however, if you
i)
help out at your local youth group or church,
ii)
play some sort of individual or team sport and
iii)
play a musical instrument or learn a language
you will already have completed three of the four sections without adding
anything more to your normal schedule.
The fourth section (Adventurous Journey) is completed through training and hikes,
some part of which may be in school time.
A Bronze level hike can be done by anyone with average fitness provided they
follow instructions about what to pack.
At Gold level, candidates must also participate in a week-long residential program
of their choosing. Most students partner with an organization such as Crusaders,
Youthworks or Scripture Union who run holiday camp programs.
More information is available on the website at http://www.dukeofed.com.au/.
What do I need to do to join the program?
1. Complete the application form provided for you and return it to the Senior
School Office in an envelope with the appropriate monies by the date
specified.
2. Organise what you will do for your Service, Skills and Physical Recreation
sections and register on the ORB website. More information will be provided
about how to do this after you have joined.
Partnership with Boomerang Adventures
The Expedition (‘Adventurous Journey’) section of the DEA program at SGCS is run
by Boomerang Adventures. Our main liaison is Mr Ian ‘Rocky’ Rockwell.
Boomerang Adventures have successfully run the hikes for many schools for years
now, including Northern Beaches Christian School, Broughton Anglican and
Danebank. For more information about Boomerang please see their website:
http://www.boomerangadventures.com.au/
The administration of the ORB information will be undertaken by Mr Graham Barnes.
Mr Barnes can be contacted by school email on graham.barnes@sgcs.nsw.edu.au.
Final words
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is an individual challenge - a competition against
yourself. The requirement is to improve, learn new skills and persevere. If you
choose to take up the challenge of the Award Scheme your trainers and assessors
will give you advice and encouragement.
Past students who have completed the Award have found it enormously
beneficial and report that it was a truly worthwhile experience.
As well as the obvious personal benefits, candidates who achieve at Silver and
Gold levels are eligible for bonus ATAR points at some universities. Achievement at
any level is recognised and valued by employers.
Yours in Christ
Carolyn Lee
Head of Senior School
Duke of Edinburgh 2015 Training and Hike Dates
Bronze (Year 9)
Training Day – Tuesday 5 May (school incursion) 9:15am – 3:15pm
Practice Hike – Friday 8 to Saturday 9 May
Planning afternoon – Tuesday 18 August 3:15 - 5:00pm
Test Hike 1 – Friday 21 to Saturday 22 August
Silver (Year 10)
Planning afternoon – Tuesday 2 June 3:15 - 5:00pm
Practice Hike – Thursday 11 to Saturday 13 June
Planning afternoon – Tuesday 3 November 3:15 - 5:00pm
Test Hike –Thursday 5 to Saturday 7 November
Gold (Year 11)
Planning afternoon – Tuesday 28 July 3:15 - 5:00pm
Practice Hike –Wednesday 12 to Saturday 15 August
Planning afternoon – Thursday 3 September 3:15 - 5:00pm
Test Hike – Monday 21 to Thursday 24 September
Please note that candidates must attend all training and hikes to qualify as having
completed requirements for their level.
Dates are not negotiable; however, if a candidate is unable to attend one of the
scheduled hikes, they may be able to do a make-up hike with Boomerang and
another school group, depending on availability. There may be extra costs
associated with this.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award 2015 Costs
For each level of the Award program, the costs include $100.00 ORB registration
and administration fee. The rest of the cost payable is for the Expeditions (hikes)
and training.
Any equipment purchase or hire is extra to the amounts quoted below.
Bronze (Year 9) DEA program costs - $330 in total
This includes: ORB registration, plus one full training day and two Bronze level (2
days and I night) hikes plus a comprehensive planning meeting before the test
hike.
Silver (Year 10) DEA program costs - $510 in total
This includes: ORB registration, two Silver level (3 day, 2 nights) hikes including
comprehensive planning meetings before each hike.
Gold (Year 11) DEA program costs - $790 in total
This includes: ORB registration, two Gold level (4 day, 3 night) hikes including
comprehensive planning meetings before each hike.
Any costs associated with the week-long residential program are extra to those
quoted above.
Please note that payments are not refundable except in the case that a student is
unable to attend the expedition/s due to illness. A medical certificate will be
required in this circumstance.
The $100 ORB registration part of the costs, which is paid directly to DEA, is not
refundable.
Submission of the completed payment form (attached) and payment to the
Senior School Office by Friday 1 May will confirm the candidate’s enrolment into
the program.
SGCS Duke of Edinburgh’s Award 2015
Details of Payment:
Student’s Name: _________________________________________________________
First Name
Surname
Student’s Class/Year: _________________
Level:
Bronze (Year 9) $330 / Silver (Year 10) $510 / Gold (Year 11) $790
(Please select and circle as appropriate)
Payment:
○ Mastercard
Card Number:
○ Visa
○ Cheque
____ ____ ____ ____
○ Money Order
Expiry:
_ _ /_ _
Cardholder Name: _____________________________________________
Signature on Card: ____________________________________________
If you wish to pay by EFTPOS this option is available through the Main Office. Please
ask the Office staff to mark this form as ‘PAID’ and then return it to the Senior
School Office.
Please complete this form and return it with the appropriate payment to the Senior
Office by Friday 1/5/14, at latest.