Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – Update!
Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – Update!
Dukes, as it is affectionally known is an internationally recognized award which offers a multitude of benefits to young people who participate in the program. Here are some of the key advantages:
- Personal Development: Participants develop essential life skills such as self-belief, self-confidence, and a sense of identity.
- Skill Enhancement: Young people discover new talents and abilities and learn to plan and use time effectively.
- Community Engagement: There’s a strong emphasis on learning from and giving to others in the community, fostering a sense of social responsibility.
- Building Relationships: The program helps in forming new friendships and enhancing problem-solving, presentation, and communication skills.
- Leadership and Teamwork: Participants gain valuable experience in leadership and teamworking skills.
- SACE Credits, up to 40 credits on completion of the Gold Level.
Moreover, Dukes is recognized as a mark of achievement that is respected by employers, colleges, and universities. It provides young people with a chance to have fun with friends, discover new interests and talents, and develop essential skills for life and work. It also supports mental health, community involvement, and personal challenges.
Overall, the Dukes program is designed to help young people become more rounded, confident adults, ready to face the challenges of the future with a robust set of skills and experiences and to be “World Ready”.
On Tuesday 6 August, at our whole school assembly 41 participants received either their Bronze, Silver or Gold Award
During Week 3 of this term, 7 Gold Dukes students travelled to Bathurst (Tiwi) Island, Darwin to participate in their Residential project for their Gold Award.
Below is a reflection and some photos of their experience on the island:
We were welcomed by OLSH nun, Sister Anne Gardiner and Sister Monique. We were fortunate to attend Murrupurtiyanuwu Primary School where we met and developed learning relationships with local Indigenous children.
Whilst assisting in the learning of basic literacy and numeracy skills, we began to understand their complex culture and their way of life, through their dance, music and engaging in their language. The entire community was welcoming and friendly – everywhere that we went, the people were interested to learn more about who we were and where we were from. Sr. Anne informed that the Tiwi people learn from the past, but live in the present, having no word in their language for the future. The days ran on ‘Tiwi Time’, and no one was in a rush to get to places, with no strict timetable to adhere to.
At the end of our time, we were asked by Sister Anne what we would take away from our experiences in Tiwi. Our answers varied from person to person, but we all appreciated the Tiwi spirit, with constant happiness and laughter filling the air wherever we went. We hope that we have helped to make a small – but significant – difference in each of their lives, reminding them that they are all special and unique.
Overall, this was such an eye-opening experience. We are so incredibly furtunate that we were able to have this experience and witness how different indigenous community’s function. Coming from an environment where we have access to basic necessities and education, makes us cherish the opportunities we get, when exposed to different circumstances and ways of life. It was inspiring to meet all the different OLSH Sisters that lived on the Island which have helped the community. They have implemented Catholic Schooling, initiatives to raise money for the communities, and Masses which help the community come together and reflect. Overall, this experience was something everyone is incredibly grateful for, as it allowed us to witness how other people live and help us realise that the things we have in our day to day lives are incredibly rare to other people. Thank you, Mr Brown, Ms McEvoy and Ms Graney for making this such a memorable experience for us.
The 2024 Tiwi Island Team
Mr Alan Brown
Duke of Edinburgh International Award Coordinator
