The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Australia is an accreditation framework that supports young people to develop independence and build career-ready skills they will carry beyond the classroom. At Clarendon, we encourage and support students in Years 9–12 to participate in the Award across its three levels, Bronze, Silver and Gold. Students complete weekly activities in physical recreation, skills and voluntary service, as well as an adventurous journey. At the Gold level, students also undertake a four-night residential journey.
Clarendon’s Student Development Pathway provides a framework for all students, whatever their ability, to develop their sense of identity, relationships and self-management. Through participation in the Award, as well as broader school life at Clarendon, students are supported to discover who they are and what they value, understand their connections to others and their influence on the world, and recognise what they can control both practically and emotionally.
Since 2022, more than 25 Clarendon students have completed at least one level of the Award, making the most of opportunities available through our co-curricular offering, the Yuulong residential program and local community connections.
Current students Lia, who is completing her Silver Award, and Om, who has completed his Bronze Award, reflect on their Duke of Ed experience and how it has helped them learn more about themselves and the positive impact they can have within the community.
“I decided to start the Award because I wanted to challenge myself and try new experiences outside of my usual school routine, especially the volunteering aspect,” said Lia. “Participating has helped me build important life skills like time management, teamwork and independence.”
Lia is a member of Clarendon’s Food is Free volunteering group, where students contribute to the local community garden each week, carrying out important maintenance tasks including composting, managing worm farms, weeding and harvesting produce. For her physical recreation, Lia participates in weekly golf training and, for her skill development, she takes piano lessons. She also reported on both the four-day and eight-day hike through the Yuulong program as her adventurous journey.
“Clarendon has supported me throughout my Award by providing many opportunities which have helped me complete different sections of the framework,” said Lia. “Food is Free is a very unique opportunity that is both hands-on and fun, and the staff at Yuulong were really supportive and attentive which made it easier to approach challenges during the hikes.”
During his Bronze Award, Om volunteered with the Ballarat Youth Ambassadors, a youth volunteering program, while also participating in Clarendon’s Chamber Strings ensemble to further develop his musicianship. For his adventurous journey, he hiked and cycled through Bright and the Dandenong Ranges with friends and family.
“The most rewarding part of completing the Award was seeing the progress I made,” said Om. “It challenged me to sit my 6th Grade AMEB violin exam and to push myself beyond what I once thought possible, including cycling and pilates while recovering from a back injury.”
For students considering the Award, both Lia and Om describe it as a valuable opportunity to develop self-efficacy, step outside your comfort zone, try new activities and build meaningful connections.
“It’s a great way to challenge yourself and work towards achieving anything you thought you previously couldn’t,” said Om.
Well done to all of our students who continue to make the most of their opportunities within Clarendon and beyond, developing leadership, confidence and a strong sense of self.
