 |
 |
 |
Over the years many pupils have been involved with the award at SJHS and they have gained much in terms of commitment, leadership, teamwork, achievement and enjoyment. The International Award is a valuable extra-curricular activity, one that is highly regarded by Universities and Colleges and is a welcome addition to a student’s Curriculum Vitae.
History
The Duke of Edinburgh award program was first introduced in the United Kingdom in 1956 as a means to encourage and motivate young people of 14 years old and above to become involved in a balanced program of voluntary self-development activities. The Sir James Henderson School is an independent operator coordinating ‘The International Award’.The opportunity to work towards the Bronze Award is offered to students entering Year 10. It is expected that students would complete the Award within the academic year. Students will attend an hour-long club each week.
The opportunity to work towards the Silver Award is offered to students entering in Year 12. It is expected that students would complete the Award within the academic year. Students who have not completed the Bronze Award will attend an hour long club each week; attendance at some of these sessions will be necessary for all participants.
Exceptionally committed students entering Year 12 may be offered the opportunity to complete both the Silver and Gold Awards by the end of Year 13; if they have completed their Bronze Award and are participating in the World Challenge Programme.
To try for the Silver Award it is not necessary to have completed the Bronze Award but preference is given to Bronze Award holders if the is a shortage of places. At SJHS we offer both hiking and sailang as a route to achieving the Silver International Award.
The Award Declaration and Its Significance
“The award concept is one of individual challenge. The award offers young people the opportunity to set a personal goal and achieve it. It is also about providing the opportunity to accept a challenge. It presents to young people a balanced, non-competitive programme of voluntary activities which encourages personal discovery and growth, self-reliance, perseverance, responsibility to themselves, trust and service to their community.” As such, Silver/Gold Award in Year 12 ties in with IB CAS Assessment covering many of the areas required. For Year 10 students, Bronze can provide a chance to develop their Creativity, Action, Service Obligations as part of their preparation for the International Baccalaureate.The International Award
The International Award consists of four sections:1. Service
Aim: To learn how to give useful service to others.
In the past students have worked in the School nursery at lunchtimes, acted as teachers on the Sports Leadership Awards, tutored or mentored younger students one-to-one, or done conservation and other charity work on weekends.
2. Skills
Aim: To encourage the development of personal interests and practical skills.
Many students use their extracurricular musical activities as evidence of them learning a new skill for this section of the Award. The skills learnt can be anything from learning to play chess or a language to developing cookery or photography skills.
3. Physical Recreation
Aim: To encourage participants in physical recreation and improvement of performance.
This section will be completed on an individual basis by the participants involved. Each student needs to take part regularly in a sport, such as football or tennis outside school hours. Any adult can act as an assessor but must have supervised the students development each week during the year.
4. Expedition Section
Aim: To encourage a spirit of adventure and discovery.
All new participants will undertake Basic Expedition Training which will give them the tools to be able to plan and participate in a weekend expedition.
If hiking, the expedition section will involve learning about camp craft, cooking, navigation, map reading, equipment, survival skills, route planning, food, safety requirements, country code, and weather. Training for this will take place both in the class room and in the country/mountainside.
If sailing, students will receive training in the following areas: knowledge of sea terms; rope work; boat terminology; sail handling; personal safety; meteorology; helmsman-ship; sailing and boat handling. The theoretical side of the course will be covered in the classroom. It is anticipated that students will undertake three weekend courses and one four-day expedition.
5. (Gold Only) Residential Project
Aim: To broaden experience through involvement with others in a residential setting. Currently the requirements of this section of the Award are covered by World Challenge.
Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Expedition Dates 2012-2013
| Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th October | Como |
| Saturday 9th February 2013 | Lecco (day walk) |
| Friday 1st - Sunday 3rd March 2013 | Finale Ligure |
| Friday 3rd - Sunday 5th May 2013 | Lago Maggiore |
Duke of Edinburgh Silver Hiking Dates 2012-2013
| Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th October | Como |
| Saturday 9th February 2013 | Lecco (day walk) |
| Friday 1st - Sunday 3rd March 2013 | Finale Ligure |
| Friday 22nd - Tuesday 26th March 2013 | Lago di Garda |
Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Sailing Dates 2012-2013
These dates have yet to be decided.
It is intended to run The International Award with an after-school club from 3.30-4.30p.m on a Tuesday for Bronze participants and a Thursday for Silver participants. If your son/daughter is interested in taking part in the International Award then they must sign up on the list which will be held by Miss McAleer on the first day back. Students will be admitted on a first-come first-serve basis. (There will be a waiting list again this year). If you require more information on the International Award, please do not hesitate to contact us at school
Miss McAleer
Bronze International Award Leader
fionnuala.mcaleer@sjhschool.com
Mr. Dawson
Silver/Gold Award Leader
peter.dawson@sjhschool.com
Mr. Fullarton
Silver/Gold Award Leader
ian.fullarton@sjhschool.com