The internationally recognised Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is a youth development program and co-curricular activity that is available for students at Hillbrook. The Award is designed to empower young people to explore their potential through dedicating time to trying something new, taking ownership over learning in areas that interest them, whilst looking beyond ‘oneself’ and being more aware of what skills they could share that would benefit others in the community.

What exactly is it and who is it for?

• It is an opportunity for anyone in Year 9 (14 yrs old) to Year 12 
• The program offers experiential Learning- Learn through experiences
• It provides students with ownership over their own learning and experience
• More than 140 countries have adopted The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award program with over 8 million young people having participated worldwide. 
• Locally over 700,000 young people have participated in the Award in Australia.
• This program empowers students to take ownership over their own learning and how they want to do it. This is achieved through suiting the interests and routine and this can be adapted to what you are already doing.

Why should my child participate?

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award will help students across many areas of their life, including:

• Individual –  Students have the ownership over their own learning through designing a program that suits their interests, circumstances, and fits into their local provision. 
• Non-competitive – Doing this Award is a personal challenge and not a competition against others. Every participant’s program is tailor-made to reflect their individual abilities and interests.
• Voluntary – Participating in this Award is the student’s choice and they must commit a substantial amount of their free time to undertake the activities.
• Development – Gain valuable life skills, grow in confidence and become more aware of their environment and community.
• Persistence – The Award requires persistence and cannot be completed with a short burst of enthusiasm. 
• Enjoyable – Students should find the Award enjoyable, fulfilling and rewarding.
• Employment – This Award is internationally recognised and looks fantastic on a resume when applying for jobs and university applications. It demonstrates an ability to dedicate time and effort to giving back to yourself and others.

How does it work?

There are 3 levels:

• Bronze for 14+
• Silver for 15+
• Gold for 16+

Students work their way through the various levels, commencing at 14 years of age. Each level consists of the following components:

• Voluntary Service – volunteer your time, look beyond ‘yourself’ and be more aware of what skills you could share that would benefit others in the community. Some examples include: Smith Family Readers – Ms Lane, Samford RDA (Riding for disabled), meals on wheels, opp shop.
  
• Skill – Develop new or existing skill that you are interested in, such as an instrument, language, cooking, gardening, computer course
• Physical Recreation – Participate in a sport or physical recreation where you are keeping fit and healthy!
• Adventurous Journey – Outdoor expedition where you learn more about the environment, yourself and others. Increased leadership and opportunity for planning what you want to do and where!

How does my child get involved?

Students and parents are advised at the beginning of each year about this program and full details of how to sign up are provided at this time.

If you have any further questions please email Sally Barnes – the Duke of Ed Coordinator sallyb@hillbrook.qld.edu.au