Embracing Challenge Through the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award (DofE) is a globally recognised programme that encourages young people to develop resilience, confidence, and independence through volunteering, physical activity, skills development, and an adventurous journey.
As a licensed DofE provider, The Perse School (Singapore) is proud to offer the Bronze Award under the leadership of Mr Ronan Dockrell.
Over the past year, our Year 9 and 10 students have dedicated themselves to developing new skills, participating in sports, and volunteering in the community. Their pursuits have been wonderfully diverse — from learning languages, coding and baking, to playing football and badminton, running, supporting younger students with language acquisition, volunteering in the school library, and even assisting at an MRI clinic.
A key milestone came with the school’s inaugural Duke of Edinburgh’s Award practice expedition. Over two days, students hiked across some of Singapore’s most iconic green spaces, including MacRitchie Reservoir, Rifle Range Nature Park, the Rail Corridor, Marina Barrage, and East Coast Park. Along the way, they navigated their routes, pitched their own tents, cooked their own meals, and worked together to overcome challenges — building teamwork, leadership, and self-reliance.
Reflecting on the expedition, Year 10 student Isabelle shared, “The expedition was hard as we did over 50,000 steps, but it was very rewarding. Spending time together in nature and using teamwork skills made the journey super fun and memorable.” She added that one of her biggest takeaways was the importance of supporting others: “Teamwork is one of the most important things to be successful, and helping others will benefit your group.”
For Tee-Gan, the expedition was equally rewarding. “I felt super determined to succeed when I ventured out on my DofE expedition. I am so grateful to be part of the programme, and it was so fun to do with my friends. I primarily learned resilience and how to socialise with people I usually don’t.”
Beyond the expedition itself, Isabelle reflected on what makes the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award such a meaningful experience: “I love DofE as it allows me to participate in a range of activities which not only benefit others but also develop my character. I love the teamwork we use during the adventurous journey and the memories we’ve made.”
The practice expedition prepares the same cohort for their final expedition next year. The Perse School (Singapore) aims to establish the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award as a two-year programme.
At The Perse School Singapore, we believe that education extends far beyond academic achievement. True to The Perse Way, we place equal importance on intellectual curiosity, character development, and extra-curricular experiences, ensuring every child has the opportunity to discover their strengths, pursue their passions, and grow into a confident, well-rounded individual. The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is just one of the hundreds of extracurricular opportunities that reflect this commitment.