Duke of Edinburgh (DOE) Bronze Program

The DOE Bronze Program is much more than the adventure element with which many of us are familiar. It includes elements of service and real-world learning that are applicable across all Key Learning Areas.

We aim to provide ALL young Australians with the opportunity to uncover their purpose, passion and place in the world to become world ready.

The benefits:

• By the end of Year 9, all students will have achieved an internationally recognised credential that shows the key domain aptitudes of being resilient, resourceful, relational and reflective.
• Universities and employers are increasingly interested in credentials that show leadership and community engagement and service. ATAR bumps and early entry acceptance can be tied to these kinds of credentials.
• The program supports students to develop grit through perseverance, their planning skills, collaboration skills and capacity to engage in strategic action. All features of our Teaching and Learning Framework!

These key capabilities and dispositions encourage the development of the kind of young people who are ready to engage with the challenges of the wider world. Year 9 Camp in 2027 will be designed to allow all students the opportunity to focus on not just the adventure aspects, but the links to Key Learning Areas across the Stage 5 College curriculum.

The program will run under the experienced guidance of Mrs Kelly Bowen (Co-ordinator of Outdoor Education) and a range of experienced staff who can provide guidance and support to the students in the program. The Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh pathways also remain open for students who wish to take that experience to another level in Year 10 and onwards.

We believe learning should prepare young people not only for exams and post-school pathways, but for life itself.

With the introduction of The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Bronze Program for all Year 9 students, we are creating authentic opportunities for students to grow through service, teamwork, outdoor adventure and personal challenge as part of their OnTRAC learning journey. Through these experiences, students will strengthen all 16 OnTRAC capabilities - becoming more reflective, relational, resilient and resourceful as they learn to navigate challenge, uncertainty and change with confidence.

Reflective - Who am I?

Students will strengthen their capacity to:

• Plan by setting goals, organising commitments and managing their progress across the Award
• Know themselves as learners by reflecting on themselves as learners and recognising how they grow through challenge (Meta-Learning)
• Refine by evaluating their performance, identifying areas for improvement and striving for personal growth
• Revise by adapting plans, thinking flexibly and responding positively when things do not go as expected.

Relational - Who is my community?

Students will strengthen their capacity to:

• Collaborate through teamwork, shared responsibility and working positively alongside others
• Empathise by supporting peers, listening to different perspectives and engaging in service opportunities
• Actively listen by communicating thoughtfully and learning to understand others more deeply
• Emulate by learning from positive role models, mentors and experienced leaders throughout the program.

Resilient - How do I live life to the full?

Students will strengthen their capacity to:

• Absorb themselves deeply in experiences that require sustained focus and commitment
• Manage distractions by remaining organised, focused and committed over an extended period of time
• Notice details, patterns, people and surroundings through outdoor, service and group experiences
• Persevere when faced with challenge, discomfort or setbacks, developing courage and determination.

Resourceful - How do I know what to do?

Students will strengthen their capacity to:

• Question by remaining curious, seeking feedback and asking thoughtful questions
• Make links between classroom learning, real-world experiences and their own personal growth
• Imagine by thinking creatively, exploring possibilities and approaching challenges in new ways
• Take strategic action by solving problems, making decisions and responding purposefully in unfamiliar situations.

These capabilities are not developed through theory alone. They grow through authentic experiences that challenge students to reflect, contribute, adapt and lead. The Duke of Edinburgh Program gives students the opportunity to practise these capabilities in meaningful ways.

Importantly, all students will complete Year 9 with an internationally recognised credential that reflects initiative, leadership, service and commitment - qualities increasingly valued by universities, employers and the wider community.

We are excited about the opportunities this will provide for our students as we continue building pathways to possibility through OnTRAC.