The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is an internationally recognised youth development program that is run in 140 countries. It aims to empower young people aged 14 to 25 to develop their full potential in a range of areas. The Award program focuses on fostering the lifelong skills of perseverance, resilience, teamwork and optimism. While physical fitness is certainly an asset during Adventurous Journeys, determination and a positive attitude are the most pivotal attributes! The Award program is open to all students from the end of Year 8 through to Year 12 at Snowy Mountains Grammar School. 

There are three levels of the Award program, with a minimum age requirement for each level: Bronze (13 years, 9 months), Silver (15 years) and Gold (16 years). Students are encouraged to begin their Award journey at the end of Year 8 or at the commencement of Year 9 at the Bronze Level and progress through each level in subsequent years. The Award program requires students to complete activities in four sections: Physical Recreation, Skill, Community Service and Adventurous Journeys. Each level of the Award requires an increase in the length of time commitment required. 

Physical Recreation:  

  • Bronze Level students are required to complete three months of a physical activity (e.g., netball, soccer, rugby, karate, gym, mountain biking, swimming training, dancing) with a one-hour commitment each week outside of school hours.  

Skill: 

  • Bronze Level students are required to complete three months of a skill that is non-physical in nature (e.g., guitar, debating, chess, art, cooking, carpentry, sewing, agriculture) with a one-hour commitment each week outside of school hours.  

Community Service: 

  • Bronze Level students are required to complete three months of a community service (e.g., helping to run a school co-curricular activity, assisting at the local Op Shop, visiting a local nursing home, coaching a junior sports team, wildlife carer) with a one-hour commitment each week outside of school hours in a non-paid capacity.  

** Bronze Level students are required to select one of the components above to complete a total of six months of activities. This is recorded as their MAJOR component. 

Adventurous Journeys: 

  • Bronze Level students are required to plan for and navigate two wilderness expeditions of two days and one night each, either run separately or concurrently. These Adventurous Journeys will be organised and run by SMGS staff, with 2024 dates to be confirmed. Students are not permitted to use family holidays or school curriculum camps to fulfil this requirement. 

Students record their activities in an Online Record Book and need to have a suitably qualified person (over the age of 18 years, not related to them, and who possesses a Working with Children Check—WWCC) to verify each of their activities. This should be a coach, trainer or teacher who organises, mentors or oversees the activity. 

Participation in the Bronze Level Award involves a $145 application fee made through an online payment directly to the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award. Any costs associated with the Adventurous Journeys will be added to school accounts at the time of attendance. Further information regarding the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Program can be found at the following website: https://dukeofed.com.au/.   

If you would like your child to join the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Program at SMGS, please encourage him/her to email Mrs Bell on melissa.bell@smgs.nsw.edu.au directly, expressing their interest in the Award program at SMGS. Once this email has been received, details regarding the application process will be forwarded to your child. Students will be invited to attend an information session at school and will be encouraged to seek clarification on any points during this time. 

We look forward to your child’s participation in the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award at SMGS.