The Duke Of Edinburgh’s Iinternational Award At Blouberg International School

Blouberg International School is working with The President’s Award for Youth Empowerment (TPA) to offer our learners new ways to broaden their curriculum. TPA delivers The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award in South Africa, and both our organisations believe that learning should not be confined to the classroom but should also take place in the school environment and wider community.

Blouberg International School provides students with an opportunity to develop soft skills such as leadership, teamwork, and confidence. We are working together to develop confident, responsible, reflective, innovative, and engaged learners and create opportunities for young people to develop skills, get physically active, serve their local community and experience adventure. By offering the Award as non-formal education alongside the academic Cambridge programmes, we are able to provide students with a holistic education.

The President’s Award for Youth Empowerment (TPA) is affiliated to The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award for Young People and is a full member of the International Award Foundation which oversees the Award Programme in over 130 countries globally, with 18 of these being in Africa, and over 1.3million active participants internationally. TPA is a registered non-profit organisation (004-920NPO) with Public Benefit Organisation status, registered with SARS (PBO#930001329).

TPA motivates young people to develop character, discover their purpose and determine their future to contribute towards building a great South Africa. The Award Programme targets 14–24-year-olds across the socio-economic spectrum, from public and private schools, children’s homes, correctional services centres, universities, etc.

There are more than 100 ISASA affiliated schools implementing the Award Programme nationally.
On the Programme, there are three levels: Bronze, Silver and Gold. Within those levels there are four sections:

1. Skills Development.
2. Physical Recreation.
3. Service to the Community and
4. an Adventurous Journey.

With guidance from volunteer adult Award Leaders, each young person builds confidence by reflecting upon their interests, abilities, and ambitions to set themselves challenges. Youth Participants progress at their own pace through the three Award levels; however, each level has minimum requirements.
At completion of the Award, young people get an internationally recognised certificate that bares the signatures of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, and President Cyril Ramaphosa. The certificates are recognised by employers and universities worldwide.

The Programme was founded in South Africa in 1983 under the banner of the Gold Shield Award, with Dr Ian Player, as the first Chairman. In 1994 the organisation was re-launched as The President’s Award for Youth Empowerment with Mr. Nelson Mandela as its Patron-in-Chief.
Once the individual is registered, participants manage their progress with the Online Record Book (ORB) application.

The Online Record Book (ORB) is an easy-to-use online system in which Participants can record their activities and achievements. Participants can set up activities, record their efforts, upload evidence, and submit assessor reports. Award Leaders can monitor progress behind the scenes and help if required.

For more information about The President’s Award (TPA) email Mr. Riaan Vosloo, email: riaan.vosloo@iesmail.com. You can also visit the official website of TPA: www.presidentsaward.co.za

Ms. Caroline Grix and Mr. Riaan Vosloo are the registered President’s Award Leaders at Blouberg International School:
Ms. Grix: caroline.grix@iesmail.com
Mr. Vosloo: riaan.vosloo@iesmail.com