Our children’s mental and physical health and social-emotional well-being is very important for their overall personal and academic success. That is why MSF introduced The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award (IA) in the Secondary School.
In the first year, the Bronze Level will be offered to our G9 students. We are planning to offer the Silver and Gold levels in successive years.
The MSF Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) programme is coordinated by Dr. Santandrea (DofE Coordinator), with Ms Chute, Mrs Francis, Mr Francis, and supported by Ms Brazell, Ms Walker and Mr Kerr.
There are four parts to the IA which participants need to complete: Physical Recreation, Skill, Service and the Expedition (Adventurous Journey):
- Service: doing something good for others without getting paid: for a special person, for the school, our community, society, the environment or for animals.
- Skills: this section is about dreaming big. Is there something students always wanted to be able to do? The aim of this element is to learn something new and improve in a non-sporting activity.
- Fitness: In the fitness part of the Award, students can choose any type of sport, including dancing, individual and fitness sports. Anything that requires physical exercise for at least one hour a week aiming at progressive targets from week to week.
- Expedition: The expedition part of the Award is about independently planning and carrying out an unaccompanied 2-day expedition to a specific destination in a group of 4-7 participants. Teachers follow and observe the group, but do not lead the group.
- Confidence and Resilience
- Independence
- Assumption of social responsibility and commitment
- Self-awareness and awareness of strengths and weaknesses
- Ability to learn from and teach others
- New friendships and relationships
- Leadership skills
