“You Can Do More Than You Think!” The Award at Munich International School

This school year Munich International School (MIS) has gained a licence to run the prestigious internationally recognised The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award. At MIS the Award is run by a group of volunteer teachers and parents with 13 student participants each taking the Bronze level.

“I’m surprised just how much I am enjoying the Award”.

“I think it is great how we get to combine all the things we like doing and get an award for it”.

“At first I did not understand what it was all about. By taking part in the Award I am learning new things by doing them”.

“I’ve enjoyed the challenge of being in a team that has to achieve a goal”.

“As a parent volunteer leader, I am thoroughly enjoying the programme. I have learnt so much on the Award training courses and also during our expedition training with the participants”.

STARNBERG, 28. MAI 2007 – This school year Munich International School (MIS) has gained a licence to run the prestigious internationally recognised Duke of Edinburgh's International Award. The Award is aimed at young people aged between 14 - 25 with the objective of helping them develop self-motivation, self-discipline and a broad, balanced outlook on life. At MIS the Award is run by a group of volunteer teachers and parents with 13 student participants each taking the Bronze (first) level.

At Bronze level there are four specific areas of activity - Service, Skills, Physical Recreation and Expedition and the participants need to complete three months activity in two areas, six months in one and the Expedition to gain the Award. In summary, the activities involve a project that helps the environment, individuals or the community or all three (service), pursuing a hobby, developing a new skill or interest (skills), following some form of dance, sport or fitness activity (physical recreation) and training for, planning and completing an overnight journey having a clear aim and normally being on foot (expedition). Each participant is challenged to find suitable activities for each area and to set themselves goals which stretch their own abilities and lead to their personal and social development in an enjoyable way.

The first seeds were sown for the Award programme at MIS in June 2006 when Kate and John Beatty met with Klaus Vogel, coordinator of The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award programme for Germany, to explore possibilities and to set out an outline plan of action. Klaus´ positive attitude and enthusiasm for the programme, the encouragement and support of the school, as well as the addition of enthusiastic, committed volunteer parents and teachers, left no doubts that the programme had all the ingredients for success. In this respect special thanks go to Eif Phillips, Diana Blake, Jane May, Nuccia Rantieri, Elisabeth Heinrich, Graz Tinney, Fiona Hines, Matt Sprinks, Lisa Sprinks, Gretchen Williams and all the student participants.

In March 2007, the Award Group had its opening meeting and since then participants have been following their chosen activities and training for the expedition. During a recent training day, the participants experienced map reading, navigating with a compass, team building, the basics of camping, planning a hiking route and then walking it. The programme is open to all students at the school aged around 14 and over and the volunteer leaders will be running a new Bronze Group starting in the new school year.