• Specific: Which service you would like to do? What exactly are you going to do in this chosen challenging activity? 

• Measurable: How often can/would you attend the chosen service? How will you measure this activity to know if you have achieved your goal? 

• Achievable: Where will you go to do this activity? Can this goal be achieved? It is great to be ambitious, but there is no point set yourself a goal that may not be achievable in 3/6/12/18 months, due to external circumstances or time. 

• Relevant/Realistic: Are you able to commit to what is required for the whole time needed? Are there any barriers/reasons that can stop you from achieving this goal? If 'yes', choose a different activity. 

    Examples of types of barriers/reasons why your goal may not be realistic:

• Time‐bound: Will this be completed in required timescale? What timescale/dates are you giving yourself to achieve the goal? 

Examples of SMART goals:

• Language (i.e. not a lesson you attend in school): I aim to start learning Arabic so I am able to read and write enough so that in 26 weeks I can produce a short essay about myself that can be understood by my tutor - a native Arabic speaker. I have a basic writing workbook and will learn through ArabicPod101.com, document my progress, and practise what I have learnt with my tutor who will assess me. Additionally, my Arabic friends at school have agreed to test me and practise speaking with me during break times.

• MUN: My goal is to talk confidently and competently deliver a prepared speech, with the ability for moderate improvisation. I will join Model United Nations and document each step I take weekly. I will achieve my goal by learning about the MUN meeting procedures by week 3; knowing the basic documents, (position, resolution, etc.); being able to discuss, debate and write resolutions by week 6. I will be part of a supportive team in an after school MUN club which I will attend for the next 13 weeks.

• Musical instrument: I will learn the guitar skills I need to confidently perform my Grade 4 exam pieces and sit the theory paper. I will video my progress as I master my required C minor chord, (no barre) and spend 30 minutes on theory each week. I will use a virtual coaching app to improve my technique, attend a guitar club for an hour a week and practise every day so I can steadily reach the next Grade. I will keep weekly logs as I approach my exam in May 2025.

• Museum docent: As a volunteer docent for the Tareq Rajab Museum I aim to develop my knowledge about the collection whilst refining my communication skills so I am able to lead inspiring section tours. I will spend at least two hours each week at the museum learning about and presenting at least two artefacts. This will help me build the knowledge and presentation skills required to confidently deliver at least two section tours at the museum within 26 weeks.

• Swimming: I started competitive swimming 3 years ago. My aims are to: Improve my 50m backstroke time from 75 to 60 seconds; Improve my 50m butterfly stroke from 80 to 65 seconds. I will practise at the Kuwait Swimming Academy for 1 hour pw and log my times. I will work with my coach on improving my stroke techniques and do timed drills to reduce my times by an average of 1 second every two weeks. In 26 weeks, I will reach my goals of improving my 50m backstroke/butterfly times by 15 seconds.

• Power-walking: My aim is to increase my walking from 3K to 8K steps per day at 5km ph. I will power walk 1 hour pw using a health app to measure and record my progress. I will increase my daily steps by 1000 per month which will help me build fitness and increase my walking speed so I can reach my goal in 26 weeks.

• Running: I will use a fitness app to measure and record my progress and a virtual coaching app in between weekly Running Club sessions to help me improve my technique and speed. I will regularly run with another Award participant so we can motivate each other. I aim to be able to run 7.5km in one hour by the end of the 26 week time period.

• Yoga: As a beginner yoga student, I aim to learn the 12 asanas (poses) in a surya namaskar (sun salutation) and increase my stamina from 2 to 7 sets per day without instruction. I will attend a beginner’s yoga class for 1 hour each week and video my progress. Additionally, I will watch instruction videos and practice daily to build stamina. In three months I will be able to move fluidly through 7 salutations by myself.

• Cardio: I am a beginner at gym workouts and aim to increase my training time and set repetitions to build stamina. I will double my plank to 2 mins and pullups to 20 reps and increase the following reps by a third: situps (3x30); cycling sit-ups (3x15); and leg raises (3x25). I will complete my hour of training at home (5-6 workouts pw) and document each workout on video so my PE teacher can oversee my progress and coach me where required. In 26 weeks I will be able to complete a full workout to include the increased reps and times.

• Badminton: I aim to learn the basic rules of badminton and acquire the following skills: the grip; long and short serves, correct footwork. I will attend a one hour badminton club after school every week and document my progress. Also, I will practise my footwork at home after club each week.  The coach has agreed to teach me the basic skills needed and in 3 months I will have learned enough basic skills to play badminton safely and compete with other beginners.

• Tutoring/helping others: I will volunteer as a Paired Primary Reader and assist selected primary students develop their reading, comprehension, and analytical skills. I will assist a teacher for 3-4 sessions totalling 1 hour pw. My assigned primary teacher will monitor individual pupil progress and I will receive training before I begin. The teacher will support and direct my activity with each student and give me feedback as required. I am committed to this programme for a minimum of 26 weeks.

• Environmental/ Working a Clean‐up Campaign: I will join the Environmental Club in my school to collect and sort recycling for collection by a recycling company. After school, for 1 hour per week, I will work as part of a team and will be responsible for the rooms I am assigned to. I will collect recycling, squash bottles, break down cardboard boxes and sort papers into the large recycling bins for a minimum of 13 weeks. I will provide photos with my log.

• Food bank/Soup kitchen: I will volunteer at my local soup kitchen where I will prepare food and interact with some of the vulnerable people who visit. I will work in the kitchen on Saturdays for two hours every fortnight and I will talk with at least one new person each visit. To start with I’ll help with food prep and after a month I will work in the serving area. My parents will drive me to the kitchen and there is adult supervision at all times. I will serve my community kitchen for the next 13 weeks.

• School Magazine - The Print: I will be a contributor for The Print - our school monthly online magazine. I will attend our weekly club for an hour and I will log excerpts from my articles, photographs and video footage as evidence over the next 26 weeks. The editorial team will meet once a week to plan the next issue and to distribute tasks and I will use my free time during the day to cover interviews and events.

The Adventurous Journey objective should give the journey a purpose – such as studying the impact of humans on the environment or noting types of fauna and flora, rather than just completing it as a team, using map reading skills, cooking etc.

• Example 1: We aim to explore the flora and fauna in the Akamas mountains of Cyprus. Also, we would like to investigate the level of pollution by people in the area.

• Example 2: Our aim is to visit Fujairah (U.A.E) to collect information about the historical events that happened in the area and to document this in our presentation 

• Example 3: To investigate the impact of humans on the environment in Wafra over 3 days and 2 nights by foot for 6 hours each day. This will allow us to learn how the farming taking place Wafra is affecting the surrounding environment and create possible future improvements. 

• Example 4: To understand and interpret the human impact in the Akamas mountains of Cyprus and how much humans have affected the wildlife, flora and the man‐made monuments. Also to work well within our team and efficiently cover the required distance while taking appropriate and necessary pictures and notes for our project over 3 days.