DofE at OSA

Hello you lovely people, for those that don't like missing out read this Power Point attached here

It gives me great pleasure to attach to this email your Duke of Edinburgh participant enrolment form and planning sheet.

Can I first say thank those of you who have been very excited and patient for many month’s now and sorry that it has taken so long for me to get my act together.

Launching anything new requires a strong team to support it and I am now delighted to say that we have that in place.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award is an achievement focussed  ‘progressive personal development programme’ like no other.

It will provide you with many opportunities to develop your PLTS, your character whilst create stretch and challenge in many aspects of your life. It will also allow you to meet new people and develop your team work skills and prepare you well for the future and the life you don’t yet know. 

It was founded by the Duke of Edinburgh, yes a real person and the husband to our Queen,  in 1956 and is recognised throughout the word.  Currently 275,000 young people are doing the DofE programme in the UK.  Could you be another?. You might think that’s this is a lot,  or not that many but you will soon see why it will give you a competitive edge in the current economy when applying for sixth form, University or employment.  Approximately 65,000 achieve a Bronze, Silver or Gold award each year.  Could you be one of them by July 2012?   

The Duke of Edinburgh Award is a non competitive programme of activities available for anyone between the age of 14-24.  You design the programme to suit your skills and abilities.  It is made up of four main sections, Skill, Physical, Volunteering and an Expedition.  The higher the level the harder the challenge!  The Gold Award has an additional section known as Residential.

So you may know someone who would like to start it at the end of year 9 or you might be considering starting it in year 10.  You could even start it in the sixth form and continue with it as you leave to go to University in other centres around the UK.  I would suggest that unless you are truly on top of your game you don’t consider taking it on in year 11, your most important year,  unless you can prove that you are on task to hit all your target grades and have completed all your coursework and controlled assessment.

Should you be determined enough to achieve the Gold Award, this is equivalent to another A-level in the eyes of UCAS University applications and you will be invited to Buckingham Palace to collect it from the main man himself.

You have received this email as you have indicated that you would like to be considered for the programme.  I have attached the enrolment form and planning sheet for you to complete above should you wish to start this before the summer holidays.  Should you wish to defer until next year or your sixth form that’s also ok by me. 

It is hoped that the launch evening will be at 3.10pm on Wednesday 11th July in B4 where we will have an opportunity to meet our county council coordinator, Johanna, enrol you online and create your own e-dofe account.  The current cost of registration will be £25 for a Bronze and Silver Award and £30 for the Gold Award.

This is a great opportunity for everyone in OSA and another reason why you should seriously consider Oxford Spires Academy as your preferred choice of sixth form. Regardless of the fact that everyone knows and cares about you, can be trusted to support you and are committed to you ‘being the best you can be’  Oh and I forgot to say we are doing it with the support of the British Army who just happen to have the best equipment and trainers in the world. 

To find out more visit www.dofe.org We look forward to seeing you on the 11th July 2012

All best wishes and well done

Tim Thompson

Duke of Edinburgh Co-Coordinator

Oxford Spires Academy