Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Regional Update September 2006
50th Anniversary Events
We’re drawing ever closer to the end of our 50th Anniversary Celebrations, and what a year it has been. To mark this special occasion we will be producing a booklet with information on all of the events that took place in Wales and further a field! The booklet will include brief reports on what happened, photographs and also a summary of the funds raised.Please contribute to our book of messages
As you know, 2006 marks the 50th Anniversary of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in the UK. To commemorate the successful achievements of the Award and celebrate the future of the Programme in the UK and beyond, a number of events are being held around the world, culminating in the combined General Council/International Forum in Edinburgh (where the first General Council took place) in November 2006.The Award was founded by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, who has tirelessly driven its development over the past 50 years and remains actively involved to this day. To acknowledge the Patron’s involvement in reaching this milestone and to celebrate the role played by our partners, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is considering the production of a Book of Messages.
ObjectiveThe Book of Messages, as the name suggests, will contain a letter or message from the main supporters of the Award, for HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, about their involvement and how the Award has made a difference in their area.Donors and Trustees are also invited to contribute to the book.We are currently considering how it will be best to present this book to the Patron.ActionWe ask each Operating Authority Award Officer to:
Approach the main supporter of the Award in their County (for example, this could be the Headteacher in the Independent School, the Head of the Education & Library Board, the Head of Youth Service, the County Councillor or the Chief Executive of the Voluntary Organisation etc.) and ask them for a brief paragraph/message (maximum of 50 words) congratulating the Patron on the 50th Anniversary of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. The message must include the name of the person it has come from, their job title/role, the name of the organisation and should be accompanied by a copy of the organisation’s logo. Logos must be provided in a jpg format at 300dpi so that they can be printed correctly.
Alternatively, they could approach volunteers or young people and ask them to write the message on behalf of the Operating Authority.
Timings
September 2006: All contributions should be forwarded to Sam Bennie at The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Gulliver House, Madeira Walk, Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 1EU or email: samantha.bennie@theaward.org
November 2006: The Book is presented to HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.
We can only produce this unique book if everyone gets involved, so please act now and make sure the Award receives your contribution by the cut-off date!
Dates for the Diary
Liaison Committee Meeting 15th September 2006
Wales Advisory Meeting 18th September 2006
Development Officers Meeting 18th October 2006
SEN Conference, North Wales 31st October 2006
Gold Award Presentations 14th November 2006
23rd November 2006
SEN Seminar, South Wales 20th November 2006
General Council, Edinburgh 5 – 7th November 2006
Staff Changes
I am sad to say that Ann O’Toole has left us for pastures new. Ann has a new job as a peripatetic Music Teacher in the Gwent area and left us on Friday 25th August. Our best wishes go with Ann.
I am also pleased to inform you that Rhian has returned from her maternity leave.
Dewi Evans has recently started with the Award as the Welsh Language Development Officer. I am sure that if you haven’t already met Dewi, you will in the not so distant future.
New Chair for the Wales Committee
After 10 years service, John Ellis has retired as the Chair of the Wales Committee. I would like to thank John for all his support over the years and am sure that we will still be in touch from time to time. I would like to welcome Prof. Richard Daugherty who has kindly agreed to take over the Chair from John.
Special Educational Needs Seminar
There will be two 1-day SEN Seminars taking place in North and South Wales during the Autumn. The aim of these seminars is to raise awareness and also to see how the Award can evolve to be more practical for both young people with disabilities and SEN and also to the leaders who support them. A programme and further information will be sent out shortly, the seminar is free but there is a limit of 40 delegates per seminar. If you have any information or models of good practice in this field please contact Rhian McDonough at Rhian.mcdonough@theaward.org.
Can you Help?
The Award is looking for a number of individual case studies to illustrate the wide range of young people from all backgrounds who participate in the Award. It would be great to have one from each Operating Authority and if you know of any young person who has a particular story to tell about how the Award has influenced their lives please ask them to get in touch with Rhian.
Climbing Wall Supervisors Award (CWSA)
MLTUK has just launched a major consultation on whether or not there is a need for a CWSA. A consultative document sets out one possible model and via a questionnaire seeks feedback from all interested organisations and individuals.
Please pass this information on to any relevant people and encourage them to complete the questionnaire at www.mltuk.org.
General Council 5-7 November 2006
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award General Council is held every two years. Their Royal Highnesses The Duke of Edinburgh and The Earl of Wessex will be joining the Award’s Trustees and delegates in Edinburgh. There will be a programme of speakers, seminars, entertainment and showcases of young people’s achievements – something for everyone. If you are interested in attending this event please contact your Award Officer.
Paddle Ventures
A new booklet containing revised advice on canoeing ventures has been published. This can be downloaded at: http://esnups.com/web/paddleventures.
50th Anniversary Events
We’re drawing ever closer to the end of our 50th Anniversary Celebrations, and what a year it has been. To mark this special occasion we will be producing a booklet with information on all of the events that took place in Wales and further a field! The booklet will include brief reports on what happened, photographs and also a summary of the funds raised.Please contribute to our book of messages
As you know, 2006 marks the 50th Anniversary of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in the UK. To commemorate the successful achievements of the Award and celebrate the future of the Programme in the UK and beyond, a number of events are being held around the world, culminating in the combined General Council/International Forum in Edinburgh (where the first General Council took place) in November 2006.The Award was founded by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, who has tirelessly driven its development over the past 50 years and remains actively involved to this day. To acknowledge the Patron’s involvement in reaching this milestone and to celebrate the role played by our partners, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is considering the production of a Book of Messages.
ObjectiveThe Book of Messages, as the name suggests, will contain a letter or message from the main supporters of the Award, for HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, about their involvement and how the Award has made a difference in their area.Donors and Trustees are also invited to contribute to the book.We are currently considering how it will be best to present this book to the Patron.ActionWe ask each Operating Authority Award Officer to:
Approach the main supporter of the Award in their County (for example, this could be the Headteacher in the Independent School, the Head of the Education & Library Board, the Head of Youth Service, the County Councillor or the Chief Executive of the Voluntary Organisation etc.) and ask them for a brief paragraph/message (maximum of 50 words) congratulating the Patron on the 50th Anniversary of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. The message must include the name of the person it has come from, their job title/role, the name of the organisation and should be accompanied by a copy of the organisation’s logo. Logos must be provided in a jpg format at 300dpi so that they can be printed correctly.
Alternatively, they could approach volunteers or young people and ask them to write the message on behalf of the Operating Authority.
Timings
September 2006: All contributions should be forwarded to Sam Bennie at The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Gulliver House, Madeira Walk, Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 1EU or email: samantha.bennie@theaward.org
November 2006: The Book is presented to HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.
We can only produce this unique book if everyone gets involved, so please act now and make sure the Award receives your contribution by the cut-off date!
Dates for the Diary
Liaison Committee Meeting 15th September 2006
Wales Advisory Meeting 18th September 2006
Development Officers Meeting 18th October 2006
SEN Conference, North Wales 31st October 2006
Gold Award Presentations 14th November 2006
23rd November 2006
SEN Seminar, South Wales 20th November 2006
General Council, Edinburgh 5 – 7th November 2006
Staff Changes
I am sad to say that Ann O’Toole has left us for pastures new. Ann has a new job as a peripatetic Music Teacher in the Gwent area and left us on Friday 25th August. Our best wishes go with Ann.
I am also pleased to inform you that Rhian has returned from her maternity leave.
Dewi Evans has recently started with the Award as the Welsh Language Development Officer. I am sure that if you haven’t already met Dewi, you will in the not so distant future.
New Chair for the Wales Committee
After 10 years service, John Ellis has retired as the Chair of the Wales Committee. I would like to thank John for all his support over the years and am sure that we will still be in touch from time to time. I would like to welcome Prof. Richard Daugherty who has kindly agreed to take over the Chair from John.
Special Educational Needs Seminar
There will be two 1-day SEN Seminars taking place in North and South Wales during the Autumn. The aim of these seminars is to raise awareness and also to see how the Award can evolve to be more practical for both young people with disabilities and SEN and also to the leaders who support them. A programme and further information will be sent out shortly, the seminar is free but there is a limit of 40 delegates per seminar. If you have any information or models of good practice in this field please contact Rhian McDonough at Rhian.mcdonough@theaward.org.
Can you Help?
The Award is looking for a number of individual case studies to illustrate the wide range of young people from all backgrounds who participate in the Award. It would be great to have one from each Operating Authority and if you know of any young person who has a particular story to tell about how the Award has influenced their lives please ask them to get in touch with Rhian.
Climbing Wall Supervisors Award (CWSA)
MLTUK has just launched a major consultation on whether or not there is a need for a CWSA. A consultative document sets out one possible model and via a questionnaire seeks feedback from all interested organisations and individuals.
Please pass this information on to any relevant people and encourage them to complete the questionnaire at www.mltuk.org.
General Council 5-7 November 2006
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award General Council is held every two years. Their Royal Highnesses The Duke of Edinburgh and The Earl of Wessex will be joining the Award’s Trustees and delegates in Edinburgh. There will be a programme of speakers, seminars, entertainment and showcases of young people’s achievements – something for everyone. If you are interested in attending this event please contact your Award Officer.
Paddle Ventures
A new booklet containing revised advice on canoeing ventures has been published. This can be downloaded at: http://esnups.com/web/paddleventures.
