Duke of Edinburgh
Fountain College participates in the Duke of Edinburgh Award. Students aged 14 and above have the opportunity to take part in the Award.
The Award is supported within school and allows students to develop their independence and character, as well as providing them with long term benefits such as job opportunities, scholarships and bonuses in entering tertiary education.
Students complete a set number of hours across 4 main areas: Voluntary Service, Physical Recreation, Skills and Adventurous Journey. Upon completion, and depending on the level of the award completed, students receive their certificates at school or the Parliament House.
About the Award
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a leading structured (non-formal education) youth development program, empowering all young Australians aged 14-24 to explore their full potential and find their purpose, passion, and place in the world, regardless of their location or circumstance.
The Award is a fully inclusive program with no social, political, or religious affiliations. The founders designed a program that challenges young people and keeps them gainfully engaged during their teenage and early adult years. The Award is meant to be an activity one undertakes; it is not an organization. Simply put, you don’t join the Award—you do the Award. It has proven to be a very powerful youth development tool for adults keen to work with young people.
How is the Award Achieved?
To achieve an Award, each young person must learn a skill, improve their physical well-being, volunteer in their community, and experience a team adventure in a new environment. All participants are supported by a network of adult Award Leaders, Assessors, and Supervisors.
The key elements of the Award are:
- The Award is open to all young people aged 14 to 24.
- Three levels: Bronze, Silver, and Gold – each progressively more challenging.
- Four Sections: Physical Recreation, Skills, Voluntary Service, Adventurous Journey, and the Gold Residential Project (Gold Level only).
- Achieving an Award recognizes individual goal setting and self-improvement through persistence and achievement.
Time Requirements:
- Bronze – minimum 6 months
- Silver – minimum 6 months if Bronze is completed, otherwise 12 months for direct entrants
- Gold – minimum 12 months if Silver is completed, otherwise 18 months for direct entrants
Through this challenging journey of self-discovery, our participants:
- Are equipped and empowered to achieve their personal best
- Learn to take responsibility for their goals and choices
- Become connected to and actively engaged within their immediate community
- Make a real difference to society through their positive contributions and involvement
- Learn to persevere and overcome barriers to success
- Learn important life skills
- Increase their career opportunities
For more information regarding the Award, we encourage parents to look at the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award website.