The Duke of Edinburgh Awards consist of 4 sections Volunteering, Pysical, Skills and Expedition.

SKILLS SECTION OF THE AWARD is all about developing practical and social skills and personal interests. Participants are required to undertake to learn a new skill or develop an existing skill for at least one hour a week over a period of 3, 6 or 12 months. By developing a particular skill young people are not only developing a new talent but also boosting their self esteem, developing both practical and social skills and learning how to set and rise to a challenge.

Skills delivered through AHS by staff, volunteers and partners as extra curricula activities.

Engineering Club:

This has been running successfully for just over 5 months due to the hard work of local resident Julian Morris, Physics teacher Tom Peat and an enthusiastic group of young engineers. The idea is to give the pupils a chance to sample some of the diverse range of activities on offer in the world of engineering. So far they have enjoyed some electronic tasks involving soldering and circuitry, bashing lead with Andy Tilling, practising moulding technique, manufacturing tools, and gaining experience in safe and proper use of hand tools. We hope to invite more local trades people to come along and demonstrate their skills, arrange visits to engineering companies as well as a “scrapheap challenge” where pupils design and race their own soap box. Mr Aitkin Maths Teacher

Rowan MacGillivary Bronze: I enjoy engineering club, we have made lots of interesting things and it has given me the chance to see and try some of the skills and work involved in engineering, something I think I may like to do in the future.

Sports Leaders: Provided by Dot Lynas Active Schools Coordinator High Life Highland

Dance Leaders and the Sports Leaders courseoffer the opportunity to develop skills which are of use to both the individual and the community both within and outwith the sporting environment and in life in general preparing you for the world of work and/or further education. It offers leadership skills for example being able to organise others to communicate with groups and individuals within a sports setting and to adapt your delivery when required in order to keep participants motivated.

Abigail Woods, Silver: Sports Leaders has taught me responsibility, helped me develop as a leader, improved my communication skills and increased my confidence. I have enjoyed the programme and learning to working with young people.

Andrew Jackson: Silver, Woodturning: I turn pieces at home in my shed using a small woodturning lathe. Mr Hogg our tech teacher kindly agreed to assess my woodturning which I bring in to school for him to see and he has provided advice and guidance on how to improve my technique. I’m gradually improving and producing better quality objects.

Others make use of music tuition provided through school by the Fèis and Highland Council tutors.

While others have found opportunities within their communities such as;

Matthew Bradley, Silver: Improving drum playing with the help of local tutor Kerri Robinson. The Skills section of the Duke of Edinburgh has allowed me to increase my skill as a drummer and become a more confident performer in all aspects of my music. You get to meet many interesting people when performing and I was lucky enough to play with Johnny Cash’s son.

John Clark, Bronze: Learning to play Chess with Mr Middleton in Ardgour. I enjoy learning to play chess, it helps me to learn to concentrate and to think ahead. I also enjoy Mr Middleton’s company.

All participants must have an assessor to help them set a goal and provide advice and guidance and provide a report at the end of the agreed period. This can be a rewarding task, passing on a skill to next generation.

Mr Ian Middleton Ardgour: Chess Assessor for John Clark. Over the past month or so I have had the pleasure of passing on the basics of chess to John Clark, he is now showing a better understanding of the strategies involved and I hope that he is enjoying it as much as I am.

Elaine Jackson AHS PC DofE Co-ordinator