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Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can take part in The Duke of Ed at Pymble?
Any student aged 14 (or from Year 9) or older can enrol in the Duke of Ed at Pymble.
How do I register for the Duke of Ed?
Students register online through the Duke of Ed’s Online Record Book (ORB) using their Pymble credentials. You must receive approval from the Duke of Ed Co-ordinator before starting any activities.
How do I register for the Duke of Ed?
Students register online through the Duke of Ed’s Online Record Book (ORB) using their Pymble credentials. You must receive approval from the Duke of Ed Co-ordinator before starting any activities.
Do I need to complete Bronze before Silver, or Silver before Gold?
No, you can enter directly at Silver or Gold level if you meet the minimum age requirements. However, if you enter at Silver or Gold without completing the previous level, you must do an extra 6 months in one of your activity sections. This extended commitment is known as your ‘major’ section.
Do I need to complete Bronze before Silver, or Silver before Gold?
No, you can enter directly at Silver or Gold level if you meet the minimum age requirements. However, if you enter at Silver or Gold without completing the previous level, you must do an extra 6 months in one of your activity sections. This extended commitment is known as your ‘major’ section.
What sections do I need to complete for each level?
All participants complete activities across four sections: Voluntary Service, Skills, Physical Recreation, and Adventurous Journey. For Gold, there is also a Residential Project.
What sections do I need to complete for each level?
All participants complete activities across four sections: Voluntary Service, Skills, Physical Recreation, and Adventurous Journey. For Gold, there is also a Residential Project.
What is a ‘major’ section and when do I need to complete one?
A ‘major section’ refers to one of the three main activity areas (Voluntary Service, Skills and Physical Recreation) that a participant chooses to focus on for a longer period. You must choose a ‘major’ section at the Bronze level, or if you join at Silver or Gold without having completed the previous level (as a ‘direct entrant’).
What is a ‘major’ section and when do I need to complete one?
A ‘major section’ refers to one of the three main activity areas (Voluntary Service, Skills and Physical Recreation) that a participant chooses to focus on for a longer period. You must choose a ‘major’ section at the Bronze level, or if you join at Silver or Gold without having completed the previous level (as a ‘direct entrant’).
How do I choose and record my activities for each section?
How do I choose and record my activities for each section?
You choose activities you are interested in and record your regular participation in the Online Record Book (ORB), which tracks your progress and completion. Pymble offers a wide range of co-curricular programs that are excellent options for your Duke of Ed activities. If you need help determining which co-curricular programs can be used for each section, you can speak to your Duke of Ed coordinator for guidance.
Who can be my Assessor for each section?
An assessor should be an adult with relevant experience who is not a family member. All assessors must complete a VCG (Volunteer Commencement Guide) form and return it to dukes@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au before approval. The Duke of Ed Co-ordinator can help if you are unsure whom to approach. The VCG form can be downloaded from the 'Downloadable Resources' section.
Who can be my Assessor for each section?
An assessor should be an adult with relevant experience who is not a family member. All assessors must complete a VCG (Volunteer Commencement Guide) form and return it to dukes@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au before approval. The Duke of Ed Co-ordinator can help if you are unsure whom to approach. The VCG form can be downloaded from the 'Downloadable Resources' section.
What is a VGC form, and why is it needed?
The VGC (Volunteer Commencement Guide) is a safeguard required to ensure anyone supervising or assessing Duke of Ed students is appropriately vetted. All assessors need to complete this form before your activity can be approved. The VCG form can be downloaded from the 'Downloadable Resources' section.
What is a VGC form, and why is it needed?
The VGC (Volunteer Commencement Guide) is a safeguard required to ensure anyone supervising or assessing Duke of Ed students is appropriately vetted. All assessors need to complete this form before your activity can be approved. The VCG form can be downloaded from the 'Downloadable Resources' section.
Can Army Cadets activities count towards my Award?
Yes, certain Cadets activities—such as weekly parades, the 4-Day Bivouac, and the 6-Day Annual Field Exercise (AFX)—can be used for various sections of teach level. Please speak to your Duke of Ed Co-ordinator for details and approval.
Can Army Cadets activities count towards my Award?
Yes, certain Cadets activities—such as weekly parades, the 4-Day Bivouac, and the 6-Day Annual Field Exercise (AFX)—can be used for various sections of teach level. Please speak to your Duke of Ed Co-ordinator for details and approval.
How do I record my activities and hours?
You must log all activities and hours in the ORB. Activities cannot be backdated, and logs should be kept up to date, with regular, detailed entries.
How do I record my activities and hours?
You must log all activities and hours in the ORB. Activities cannot be backdated, and logs should be kept up to date, with regular, detailed entries.
How do I log and report my Adventurous Journey?
Before undertaking both your Practice Journey and Qualifying Journey, you must seek approval through the Online Record Book (ORB). After completing each journey, you are required to record your experiences: for the Practice Journey, write a paragraph in the Observations section of the ORB; for the Qualifying Journey, upload a full report to the ORB. Report templates for each level are available for download in the 'Downloadable Resources' section.
How do I log and report my Adventurous Journey?
Before undertaking both your Practice Journey and Qualifying Journey, you must seek approval through the Online Record Book (ORB). After completing each journey, you are required to record your experiences: for the Practice Journey, write a paragraph in the Observations section of the ORB; for the Qualifying Journey, upload a full report to the ORB. Report templates for each level are available for download in the 'Downloadable Resources' section.
Can I use activities I did last year for my current level?
No, only activities completed from the date of registration for your current level can be counted towards your award Activities undertaken prior to registration cannot be included—backdating is not permitted. Only those undertaken after your registration and approval will be recognised.
Can I use activities I did last year for my current level?
No, only activities completed from the date of registration for your current level can be counted towards your award Activities undertaken prior to registration cannot be included—backdating is not permitted. Only those undertaken after your registration and approval will be recognised.
What if I change schools or leave Pymble?
You can transfer your current level to an open centre such as Youth Advance Australia or to a new school. Ensure all activities and assessor reports are up to date before leaving, and contact the Duke of Ed Co-ordinator for advice on transferring.
What if I change schools or leave Pymble?
You can transfer your current level to an open centre such as Youth Advance Australia or to a new school. Ensure all activities and assessor reports are up to date before leaving, and contact the Duke of Ed Co-ordinator for advice on transferring.
Who do I contact for support or questions?
For any queries, support or guidance, please contact the Duke of Ed Co-ordinator, Chris Boland at dukes@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au.
Who do I contact for support or questions?
For any queries, support or guidance, please contact the Duke of Ed Co-ordinator, Chris Boland at dukes@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au.
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