Duke of Edinburgh (DofE)

From November 2021, after a forced break of two years, the school will once again be running the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award. This opportunity will be for the current Year 12’s as they missed out in Year 10 and it will also add an excellent enrichment opportunity to their curriculum. The school had a record total of over 100 DofE participants during 2018 and 2019 and early indications are very positive from the current Year 12 cohort following an Assembly presentation just before the October half term. All Year 12 have now been sent an application form by e-mail and they have until 6.00pm on Thursday 18th November 2021 to register on the DofE TEAMS Group and submit their application. The official DofE website is an excellent resource for both students and parents.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) is the world’s leading achievement award for young people and since 1956 over 8 million young people have participated in DofE which is now offered in more than 140 countries.

The four components of the award for Bronze are:

1. Volunteering: Bronze (3 or 6 months)
2. Physical: Bronze (3 or 6 months)
3. Skills: Bronze (3 or 6 months)
(One section above for 6 months and the other two section for 3 months)
4. Expedition: Plan, train for and complete one Bronze: 3 day, 2 night Expedition

Full details will be given to participants and parents following their successful application and registration. Students will develop a range of skills including their self-confidence, initiative, a sense of responsibility, a greater awareness of their strengths, the ability to plan and use time effectively, the ability to learn from and give back to others in the community, problem solving, presentation and communication skills, leadership and team working skills. To help the students achieve their Award they are encouraged to use activities which they enjoy and find a challenge. These may include activities in which they are already taking part or as an opportunity to develop new skills and hobbies. A DofE programme demands persistence and commitment and cannot be completed with a short burst of enthusiasm.

Students will need to attend all formal after school sessions, to ensure they update and complete their on-line DofE Account and are thoroughly prepared for the expeditions.
We hope that our students will find participation enjoyable, fulfilling and rewarding. Further details are included on the following pages.

Mr P Dolman.
School DofE Co-ordinator
E Mail: p.dolman@stmarys.net

 Year 12 DofE - Letter home to parents May 22 

These three sessions will cover First Aid, Map Reading, Menu Planning, Cooking with a Trangia, Menu Planning, Packing Rucksacks, Appropriate Clothing, Pitching Tents, Countryside and Highway Code, Health and Safety issues etc

Important Note: Participants will not be able to take part in the expedition if they have not attended these after school sessions.

Assessed Expedition: All Bronze Participants

Thursday 30th June 2022: 7.00am meet for a 7.30am Depart, Training Day for Bronze
participants: Overnight camp
Friday 1st July 2022: 10.00am: Formal start of Assessed Expedition
6 Hour walk for Bronze: Overnight camp
Saturday 2nd July 2022: 6 Hour walk for Bronze, Parent Pick up from St Mary’s: 6.00pm (approx)
Autumn 2022: Formal Presentation of Awards

(We will link this to an evening when Y13’s and their parents will be in school for a Parents Evening for convenience)

We hope that our students will find participation enjoyable, fulfilling and rewarding. Please contact Mr P Dolman, School DofE Co-ordinator via E Mail: info@stmarys.net