Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme
The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme was first introduced in the United Kingdom in 1956. The program was designed by a small team, led by HRH the Duke of Edinburgh who had been educated at Gordonstoun School in Morayshire Scotland, Sir John (later Lord) Hunt, the leader of the first team to conquer Mount Everest, and Dr Kurt Hahn who had founded Gordonstoun School itself.
The aim of the Scheme was to motivate young people aged between 15 and 18 to become involved in a balanced program of voluntary activities to help them develop a sense of leadership, purpose and initiative. TAS was one of the first schools in Australia to offer the awards program, introducing it in 1967, the year after Headmaster Mr Alan Cash saw it in action at Gordonstoun.
2012 marked the fiftieth year of the Scheme in Australia and TAS is proud that each year a significant number of students enrol for either the Bronze, Silver or Gold programs. Students meet requirements for their Bronze and Silver in conjunction with school activities, while as individuals, they undertake the requirements for Gold, during school holidays.
Over the years there have been changes to the way Duke of Ed is run at schools, though the end goal is still the same – to help young people develop a sense of leadership and character by extending themselves in areas that challenge and excite them.
