The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is operational at Dapto High School and students in Year 9 (aged 14) may join the program. The Award is a youth self development program for all young people. The scheme is non-competitive and encourages young people to set and achieve goals at a level appropriate to their needs and abilities. There are four sections that must be completed for a young person to qualify for an Award:

1. Community Service
2. Skills
3. Physical Recreation and
4. Expeditions.

These provide an opportunity for students to acquire and develop skills, initiative and self esteem which help them become more confident members of the community. The Scheme is highly regarded by many employers.

What D of E involves.

The Scheme is progressive and has three Award levels - BRONZE, SILVER and GOLD. Year 9 students may start at the bronze level. To obtain the Bronze Award the students must complete the following sections:

1. Service: 15 hours of voluntary community service spread over 3 months OR complete an appropriate course of specialised training such as a First Aid course.
2. Expedition: complete training (map and compass skills, first aid, trip planning etc....) and a practice trip, and then an expedition of 2 days hiking with overnight camping.
3. Skills: Over a 6 month period, a non-physical cultural or social activity must be pursued leading to a deeper knowledge of the subject area and the attainment of a reasonable degree of skill e.g.. drama, playing a musical instrument, Bible study etc....
4. Physical Recreation: Participation in one physical activity for a minimum of 20 hours spread over at least 8 weeks resulting in some improvement in that activity.

The hours and length of participation in each of the above categories increase as the candidates progress through the Silver and Gold Awards. The Gold Award also includes a Residential Project. Students who are older may start at the Silver or Gold level but certain conditions apply.

How is the school involved?

The school is involved in 2 main ways - expeditions and administration. The choice of and participation in Community Service, Skill and Physical Recreation is the candidates' own responsibility.

 1. Administration:

When the students commence the scheme they do so through Dapto High School - the registered operator. Information lectures are run and notes are provided to interested students. As these notes are returned with the money required to purchase the record books from the State Office, the books are ordered and issued to the students when they arrive. From here it is again the students responsibility to keep an accurate and up-to-date record of their activities. When they have completed the required number of hours for every activity and these are signed by the appropriate assessors, they hand in their record books which are checked by the Coordinators, the Principal, and finally by the State Award Office. If all details are correct and satisfy the Award requirements successful candidates are presented with a Certificate and Badge/Brooch specifically for the level attained. Gold Awardees attend an official presentation at Government House where they are presented their awards by the Governor-General or, Prince Philip when he is in Sydney.

 2. Expeditions:

The expeditions can be done through the school or externally. At school they hike with their peers and this has proved to be immensely popular. Prior to the expedition a number of compulsory training sessions are run which cover basic first aid, safety, camp craft, navigation and route planning, group skills, care of environment, use of equipment, observation and recording. The students plan their own route for the hike within the given location. These training days prepare students for the rugged couple of days that lie ahead.