Youth Development & Leadership

The Duke of Edinburgh (DoE) Award is a youth development and leadership program for young people aged between 14 and 25 years. Anyone can join the award at any age (from age 14), or at any time of year. Students progress through the sections at their own pace.

The Award encourages personal development in four key areas:

  • Skills
  • Volunteering
  • Physical Recreation/Fitness
  • Adventurous Journey

The DoE Award takes on different formats and varying names around the world. In all of its variations, young people from 143 countries get involved with it and, in Queensland alone, over 7,000 participants enrol in the Bronze, Silver or Gold Award programs in any given year.

History of the Award

The Duke of Edinburgh Award was started by the Queen’s husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, over 60 years ago. The aim of the Award was to recognise the importance of balance in our lives. Since the passing on the Duke of Edinburgh in April 2021, the patronage of the Award program has been handed to Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex. The Duke of Edinburgh Award continues to play an important and relevant role in the lives of thousands of young people around the world.

Support for Students

There are different DoE Award requirements for each level and St Peters proudly supports our students through each of these. Students complete Bronze Adventurous Journeys at the same time as undertaking the Ironbark Outdoor Education program in Year 9. At Silver level, students are also able to take up the many opportunities on offer with the support from our Ironbark staff. These may include canoeing, hiking or mountain bike expeditions, depending on the interests of our students at the time. At Gold level, students are encouraged to pursue activities on offer outside of the College. The College's links with Adventurous Journey providers, including Blue Peter Australia and PCYC, make this possible.

The DoE Award is a wonderful opportunity for St Peters students to formalise much of what they are already doing into an internationally recognised award. On any resume, this will show that each participant is a dedicated, well-rounded and compassionate member of the wider community. The skills and connections made through the DoE Award last a life-time. 

Visit the Duke of Edinburgh Australia website for more information.


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