The Duke of Edinburgh challenges boys from Year 9 onward
The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award - Australia is a leading structured (non-formal education) youth development program, empowering all young Australians aged fourteen to twenty-five to explore their full potential regardless of their location or circumstance. The Award is a fully inclusive program and has no social, political, or religious affiliations. At St Aloysius' College the Award is offered as a three level program:
Level 1: Bronze is completed in Year 9 – a six month program. (Age fourteen years)
Level 2: Silver is completed in Year 10 – a six month program. (Age fifteen years)
Level 3: Gold is completed in Year 11 – a twelve month program. (Age sixteen years)
How is an Award Achieved?
To earn an Award, each young person must learn a skill, improve their physical wellbeing, volunteer in their community and experience a team adventure in a new environment. All participants are supported by a network of adult award leaders, assessors, supervisors, and mentors.
The key elements of the program are:
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Three levels: Bronze, Silver, and Gold, each progressively more challenging.
- Four Sections: Physical Recreation, Skill, Service, Adventurous Journey plus Residential Project (Gold Level only).
- Achieving an Award recognises individual goal setting and self-improvement through persistence.
What are the positive impacts of the Award on a young person?
Through this challenging journey of self-discovery, participants:
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Are equipped and empowered to achieve their personal best;
- Learn to take responsibility for their goals and choices;
- Become connected to and actively engaged within their immediate community;
- Make a real difference to society through their positive contributions and involvement;
- Learn to persevere and overcome barriers to success;
- Learn important life skills; and
- Increase their career opportunities (Gold Award participants).