Awards Victoria Limited

Thank you to the Victorian Association of State Secondary Principals (VASSP) for a wonderful day one of the annual conference for State Secondary School Principlas in Victoria. It was fantastic to feel all the positive energy in the room. As demonstrated in these pictures, the team loved having so many passionate conversations with school leaders about the importance of SEL and non-formal education programs to keep our young people engaged in school and learning!

We’ve had a fantastic few days exhibiting at EduTECH Australia, with The Compass Award. We are privileged to be exhibiting as part group of organizations participating in the wellbeing stream of the conference, programmed by PESA - Positive Education Schools Association. We loved hearing our CEO, Stephen Mason speak on a engaging panel moderated by Kate Barbat on growing student belonging. Thank you to the other wonderful panelists Marnie Thomas, she/her (MAPP) and Dr Damien Barry for their insights and wisdom - we learned a lot!

We’re excited to be participating at the 2024 Victorian Association of State Secondary Principals (VASSP) conference in a few weeks with our The Compass Award team. We’re looking learning more about the current key priorities for Goverment Seconday schools in Victoria and how our work can continue to service their needs. If you’re attending, come say hi and have a chat at our stand!

Last week, Awards Victoria, represented by Johanna Leitch, our strategic partnership and wellbeing lead, was invited to speak at the Volunteering Victoria conference. It was a great opportunity to share the knowledge we gained over the past two decades, partnering with schools to engage young people in meaningful activities like #volunteering. The presentation explored various topics, including current school priorities around #wellbeing, #SEL, and #teachershortages, and how volunteer organisations can consider these when crafting their volunteer programs and engagement with schools. Most educators recognise the myriad benefits that volunteering has for young people, particularly how participation builds key skills and fosters wellbeing. However, schools feel challenged to facilitate such activities against a climate of increased administration load, risk aversion and teacher shortages. It's important that we can come together as a sector to recognise these challenges and work together to solve them. Thank you to Volunteering Victoria for inviting us to participate in this conversation. We're proud to contribute to this work and look forward to more fruitful collaborations in this space in the future!

This week, Stephen Mason, our CEO, was invited to participate in a roundtable discussion in WA hosted by Government House WA. The discussion focused on how to support primary school-aged children through extracurricular activities and programs that build social and emotional skills (SEL). This topic is close to our hearts, as The Compass Award is a program that both encourages participation in extra-curricular activities and develops SEL. Insights from the discussion included a range of strategies that were suggested by different participants for improving SEL and associated outcomes: - Mental Health issues start in childhood & therefore, interventions to develop SEL need to begin there, too - SEL is foundational to learning and not the cherry on top; education/school strategies need to start from here - Participating in service/volunteering activities should be implemented into the curriculum as one way to develop SEL - We need to celebrate diversity and diverse achievers more - We need more teachers trained in implementing SEL curriculums to develop these capabilities Thank you to Awards WA for organising this fantastic discussion and extending the invite!

As of June 1, 2024, Awards Victoria will conclude its role as The Duke of Ed's licensed operator in Victoria when it transitions to a centralised support model. We're immensely proud of the incredible journey and achievements we've shared over nearly two decades. Throughout our partnership, we've supported over 118,000 young individuals across Victoria, facilitating over 2.25 million hours of voluntary service, 1.9 million hours of skills development, and so much more. The impact of The Duke of Ed framework has been profound, empowering youth and fostering personal growth. We extend our deepest gratitude to the 10,000+ Award Leaders, 50,000+ assessors, and all who've contributed to this journey. To the remarkable young individuals who've completed an Award during our tenure, your dedication inspires us. While this chapter closes, our commitment to youth development remains steadfast. For updates and future endeavours, follow Awards Victoria on LinkedIn. Read the full media release here: https://buff.ly/4bPpKIl #AwardsVictoria #YouthDevelopment #DukeofEd #Victoria #Farewell

Congratulations to these amazing Duke of Ed VIC Gold Awardees from Kardinia International College on completing their 'Adventurous Journey'! Awards Victoria is proud to have been the licensed operator for Duke of Ed in Victoria for nearly 20 years, providing countless students with wonderful opportunities like this, which is only possible through our partnerships with schools and the hard work of their teachers and staff!

Bek, a Compass Coordinator at Oberon High School, shares implementation tips for schools interested in offering The Compass Award. While it takes grit and perseverance, the rewards are boundless! #TheCompassAward #PositiveSchoolCulture #Empowerment

Explore the picturesque journey of Ynez Chapman's Bronze Award Journey at McKinnon Secondary College, submitted to us as part of our Trailblazer competition. From serene lakes to majestic oceans, and encounters with nature's wonders like the up-close frog and rolling hills, Ynez's collage encapsulates the beauty of exploration and discovery. Join us in celebrating her spirit of curiosity and perseverance! #McKinnonSeocndaryCollege #BronzeAward #dukeofed #dukeofedvic #AdventureAwaits #Trailblazer

🌟 Easter Greetings from Awards Victoria! 🐣 As we celebrate this season of renewal and new beginnings, we reflect on the incredible journeys of determination, resilience, and achievement undertaken by our Compass and Duke of Ed participants across the state. Just like the Easter egg hunt brings excitement and discovery, our programs lead participants on a journey of self-discovery and growth, uncovering hidden talents and fostering personal development. Wishing you all a joyful Easter filled with moments of reflection, inspiration, and the warmth of loved ones. Here's to embracing every opportunity for growth and celebration! #EasterGreetings #AwardsVictoria #CelebratingAchievement