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DofE London EXPO

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Saturday 5th February 2011, 10am - 3pm Grey Coat School -

St. Michael’s Building

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please go to www.DofE.org/london

Issue 4: December 2010

We have been really encouraged by some of the amazing work undertaken by DofE Managers in both Local Authorities and Independent Operating Authorities. It would seem that despite challenges presented by the recent Spending Review, DofE has retained appropriate levels of resource; in the case of some it has even seen an increased focus on DofE. We have committed greater levels of support and resources to the Operating Authorities most in need whilst maintaining high levels of support across the network.

Thank you for your cooperation and hard work over the past few months, your commitment to the programme alongside a record breaking Statistical Report has paid dividends during this challenging period.

Wishing you festive greetings and a successful 2011.

News from The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in London

Above: Gold Award Forum, Black Mountains

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Seven Gold Award Presentations were held in 2010 at St. James Palace, with over 300 Gold Awards presented in London.

Would you like to volunteer to be a marshal at St James’s Palace? Or do you have a Gold Award Holder who could be a VIP Host? Please contact London DofE.

GOLD AWARD PRESENTATIONS

News from London DofE

City Bridge Trust

The DofE London was pleased to be awarded a City Bridge Trust Grant last year to support disadvantaged young people across London, and building bridges in diverse communities.

In November 2010, DofE London held a Multi-Faith Residential with a group of young people exploring the wider issue of faith within the delivery of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. It had a great impact on the young people as well as providing many ideas to implement in London.

“I learnt more about myself by asking questions which I hadn’t previously thought about” Adedoyin

Read the latest CBT update which highlights the breadth and diversity of DofE Groups across the

Capital on our website www.DofE.org/london

New Operating

Authorities:

In 2010 the following schools and organisations were licenced as Independent Operating Authorities: Forest School, Kids Company, Streatham and Clapham High School, Twyford CofE High School, Bentley Wood High School, St. Mary Magdalene Academy, Canons High School, Hatch End High School, Heathfield School, North London Collegiate School, Nower Hill High School, Park High School, Stanmore College and Sacred Heart Language College.

Numbers, Numbers, Numbers ...

London DofE has demonstrated a 78% growth in new entrants across the country over the last five years and a 26% increase in completions. These statistics are a testament to the terrific work being developed across the region by DofE Managers, Leaders and Volunteers.

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News from London DofE

Expeditions with a difference

Over the past year London Borough of Tower Hamlets have been working with a number of groups to deliver the expedition section using either bikes or canoes as an alternative to the traditional walking method.

Youth Project, Columbia Road undertook Bronze cycling expeditions in Essex and Hertfordshire.

Young women from Central Foundation Girls School, having already completed Bronze by foot decided that cycling for Silver would be easier! After a number of training sessions they held a practice in Hertfordshire and then with heavily laden bikes they undertook their qualifying expedition.

A Silver group from the same school decided to do their expedition in open canoe. Training in basic skills was carried out on the local canal over a number of weeks and then a practice held on the River Lea with the qualifying completed on the River Thames.

Trek to the Palace

Two young mothers who had trekked 24 kilometres with their children in off-road prams as part of their DofE Expedition represented Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea at a Fundraising Event at Buckingham Palace.

Chanelle Farrell and Laura Pham met HRH The Earl of Wessex and other VIP guests at the event. Laura said: "I felt a real sense of achievement by being at Buckingham Palace and being able to share my experiences. I was really grateful for the opportunity to participate in this Award. It has really opened doors for me in life."

Met VPC

Conference

In November Leaders from the Metropolitan Volunteer Police Cadets undertook a range of courses and information sharing sessions that will enable them to develop DofE across each of their London Borough units.

Kids Company achieve in DofE

The first group of young people undertaking DofE through the charity Kids Company successfully completed their expedition and achieved their award this year. Kids Company deliver formal and vocational qualifications to some of the most deprived and at risk young people whose parents are unable to care for them due to their own difficulties.

Earlier this year, they were licensed as an Independent Operating Authority by the London Region, representing the DofE’s commitment to extending the reach to the most vulnerable young people in society. Kids Company DofE Manager, Hayley Watson said:

“The DofE has been a huge asset for Kids Company’s Urban Academy … through the DofE program we have seen our young people shine!”

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Regional staff

Peter Fleet - Director Jo Adamson - Operations Officer Matthew Barnett - Operations Officer Louise Starling - Office Manager Sarah George - Development Officer Leanne Chapman - Admin. Officer Zahra Mashhood - Admin. Assistant

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Award House, 7-11 St. Matthew Street, London SW1P 2JT T: 0207 227 9820 F: 0207 222 4112

E: london@DofE.org

“We sorely need something like the DofE to get us out of our chairs and in touch with the real world, even if the real world is trickling down the back of your neck and your tent has blown away.

Once upon a time educators used to talk about 'character building'. They don't do this any more because it was felt to be very Edwardian and elitist and probably meant that it didn't matter if the education was bad as long as a child could play rugby. But taken seriously it is important. It means that you know how to engage with the world and deal with other people. You can't learn that from a computer and you can't learn that from Facebook or Twitter. It's about dealing with disappointment, things going wrong and pushing on despite all obstacles. I know it sounds old fashioned, but it isn't.

Young people meet more difficulties, opportunities and challenges than they would have done around the turn of the 20th Century. The DofE can be considered a fundamental part of the 'Make a Human Being' kit.”

Terry Pratchett

Sir Terry Pratchett supports the DofE

OFFICE CONTACT DETAILS

2011 Course Dates

Level 3 Basic Expedition Leader Ref: BEL 11/01 29th January - Intro Day 20th-24th February (includes Expedition Supervisors Training Course)

Expedition Assessors Accreditation Scheme Ref: EXA5 8th February

Introduction to the DofE Ref: INT4 25th January

Online Media Training Ref: OMT1 15th February

Equality and Diversity Training (Residential) Ref: EDT1 8th-9th March

Introduction to the DofE Ref: INT5 17th March

BEL Assessment Ref: BEL/A1 18th-20th March For more information on DofE London Training Courses and to book online, please check our website:

www.DofE.org/london