c) Complete a Practice Expedition (3 days, with 2 nights camping). The dates for this expedition are March 2015.

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1 November 2014 Dear Parents Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award The Duke of Edinburgh s Award was introduced by HRH Prince Philip for young people between the ages of years. It is intended to provide an introduction to worthwhile leisure activities and voluntary service, and includes the physical challenge of the expedition. Universities and employers favour students who have met the challenge of the Award successfully and see it as a real achievement for the young. Coming to know yourself and just what you can do when you put your mind to it is very satisfying. Being able to achieve something worthwhile and having fun at the same time is what the Duke of Edinburgh s Award is all about. Girls who are aged 13 or over can join the Award at Bronze level. The information given on Parents evening about minimum ages is no longer valid. I have contacted West Berkshire Duke of Edinburgh Award Office and they have confirmed they are happy for our girls to be signed up and start the award from the age of 13. I would like to stress at this point that the Bronze Award cannot be signed off and completed until the girl is 14 years and 6 months old. Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award Commitment Points a) To be ready and committed to attend my drop in sessions when necessary for advice and guidance. These happen on Tuesday and Friday lunchtimes in Wilkins House and at 4.30pm on Wednesdays in the School Upper Library. b) Prepare to participate in the following sections Skills Volunteering Physical recreation Bronze level requires two sections to be completed over 3 months and one section to be completed over 6 months. That choice is down to the individual girl s interests and strengths. On average, one hour per week, must be given to each section. Most of the above can be completed through the choice of school activities. c) Complete a Practice Expedition (3 days, with 2 nights camping). The dates for this expedition are March d) Complete an Assessed Expedition Camp (2 days, with 1 night camping) on April Both these expeditions are being delivered by an external company which is Sam Sykes Ltd. For your information, both expeditions will take place in Ashdown Forest, East Sussex. e) Produce a project based on the Assessed Expedition. This can be similar to course work or be given in presentation form if preferred.

2 Further details about the four sections: 1. VOLUNTEERING This section is to encourage the young people to give up some of their free time in service to others on a voluntary basis. This can be done in a number of ways but must give the young people an awareness of the needs of the community and our individual responsibility in this respect. Examples would include volunteering in a charity shop, organising fundraising activities, and helping with cub or brownie packs. 2. SKILL This section should encourage the discovery and development of personal interests and practical skills. It requires perseverance and regular participation to be fully satisfying and successful. In many cases the activities which the girls are already engaged in can be used and further developed for the scheme. Examples would include learning to play musical instruments, speech and drama lessons, textiles and cookery. 3. PHYSICAL RECREATION In this section the girls must participate regularly and enthusiastically in a chosen physical activity, showing improvement of performance over a set period of time. The school offers many opportunities to fulfil this section. We do, however, also encourage outside interests. 4. EXPEDITION To encourage a spirit of adventure and discovery. This venture demands loyalty, shared responsibility and co-operation within a group. Careful planning, attention to detail and organisational development are essential for a safe and successful journey. The expedition section of the Award is organised by Sam Sykes Ltd. The practice expedition includes guidance in camping, map reading, route planning and safety codes, before undertaking a full assessed expedition, where girls walk unaccompanied in groups of 7, following their prepared routes. Staff are always near the girls overnight on the expeditions. Sam Sykes Ltd. provides all major equipment necessary to complete the expedition apart from walking boots, sleeping bags, waterproof jackets and trousers and personal clothing. A full expedition kit list is given to each girl at the start of the Award. I would like to stress the most important item is a pair of walking boots that are correctly fitted and have been broken in well before the training takes place.

3 Whilst every attempt is made to keep costs to a minimum, there are expenses involved in organising each section, but particularly the expedition. These include:- 1. West Berkshire D of E Award participant registration fee and Operating Award service charge. 2. Expedition training and assessment costs including overnight accommodation, camping fees, transportation to and from Ashdown Forest, food, assessor fees and the training and staffing provided by Sam Sykes Ltd.. This means that the fees for participation in the D of E Award Scheme are: Bronze level 325 (charged on the spring term account) If your daughter feels she can give the commitment necessary to undertake the Award, and you would like her to participate, please complete the form below. There will also be a West Berks D of E registration form attached. Please could both forms be completed and returned to me. Yours sincerely Mr G Blunt Bronze Award Coordinator Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award Daughters name: Academic Year:.... Parent Name:. Parent Address: I hereby give consent for my daughter to register for the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award and undertake the expedition training in Spring I give consent for 325 to be billed to my school account. I confirm that details given on the Blanket Consent forms held by the school office remain unchanged.

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