At Garden International School (GIS), we believe that education is not just about what happens in the classroom—it’s about shaping young people into resilient, compassionate and capable individuals. One of the most powerful programmes we offer to support this vision is The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE).
What is the DofE Award and Why It Matters
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a world-renowned youth development programme that empowers students aged 14–24 to build confidence, resilience and independence through real-world challenges. Offered at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels, participants commit to personal growth across four key areas: Volunteering, Physical Activity, Skills Development, and an Adventurous Expedition. At GIS, DofE is a vital part of our holistic approach—encouraging leadership, purpose, and a lifelong sense of service. It helps students discover what they’re capable of, while making a meaningful difference in their communities and developing essential life skills along the way.
The DofE Award pushes students to step outside their comfort zones and grow in ways they never expected. Whether it’s learning to work as a team during an expedition or giving back through service, every participant emerges with a stronger sense of self and a clearer sense of what they can offer the world.
– Mr Ian Hughes, Learning Support Teacher & Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Coordinator
A Night to Remember
The ceremony was emceed by three of our Silver participants—Joy, Emily and Carmen—who have been with the programme since their Bronze level in 2023. Their leadership and insight gave the event a meaningful, student-led energy.
Musical performances by Bronze participants Adit, Tif, Nora, Rhea and YingWay, along with a soulful saxophone solo by Rafael Mouret, added a celebratory and reflective tone. Speeches by students Akshaan Bora, Zahn Yang Kuan, and Dhruv Iyer brought humour, honesty, and heart to the evening as they shared stories of growth, unexpected lessons, and perseverance.
We were honoured to welcome Dr Brandon Chee—an outdoor education specialist and one of our expedition partners from Wilderness Inspirations—as our guest speaker. Dr Chee’s deep experience and passion for youth development has been an invaluable asset to our DofE expeditions and student learning.
The evening closed with words from Ms Wood, who reminded students that the skills, friendships and confidence they’ve developed through DofE are just the beginning of a lifelong journey.
Looking Ahead
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award at GIS continues to grow in size, energy and impact. With each new cohort of students, we see the power of the programme not just in the awards earned, but in the transformation it inspires.
We’re incredibly proud of all our 2025 participants— Congratulations!
