Wednesday 30 January 2013

30th January 2013



Holy mail out, Batman!
Welcome to your second mail out of the year. As usual, please email any updates for the network to Jack.Kirby@DofE.org. We’ve incentivised reading the entirety of this missive – please see the final paragraph for more details!

Annual review
We are preparing our Annual Review which will highlight the breadth and quality of programme delivery across the capital in this reporting year.  If you have any projects or activities from your Licensed Organisation that you would like to highlight for this publication, or can name one good DofE thing that has happened in the last year, please email it to Keighley.Jensen@DofE.org.

eDofE training
Kirsty will be running free beginners eDofE training for those with little to no experience of eDofE approximately every six weeks on the following dates:
  • 13th February
  • 28th March
  • 1st May
  • 11th June
  • 29th July
  • 11th September

Jack will be running free intermediate eDofE training for those with some experience of using the system but would like a refresher every ten weeks on the following dates:
  • 12th February
  • 26th April
  • 26th June
  • 4th September

All sessions will run from 1pm and be finished no later than 5pm. As usual they will take place at the Regional Office. If you wish to send a Leader for training, please email their names and email addresses to the relevant trainer: Kirsty.Young@DofE.org orJack.Kirby@DofE.org.

iPhone competition
There’s still plenty of time for Leaders and participants to enter our iPhone competition. See our Facebook page for full details. You can also download A3 and A4 posters to advertise this to your groups.

Expedition volunteers orientation weekend
There is still time for DofE Managers to nominate new volunteer Leaders to attend a free weekend of learning the DofE ropes. Please see www.DofE.org/London for further information and download a nomination form here.

Job vacancies
There are currently two roles available at the DofE, both based in Windsor, an IT support assistant and an Operations Manager. Please see here for full details and how to apply.

Expedition volunteers required
Croydon High School need some volunteers help with a practice expedition in East Grinstead, Ashdown Forest, 27th April 2013. This is a good opportunity to make up some hours if you are undergoing BEL training. Please contact Donovan Smith if you are able to help at D.Smith@CRY.GDST.NET.  

DofE centre certificate now available
An electronic template of the Centre Certificate has been produced and is available to download from the Resource Zone on eDofe. This will allow DofE Managers to generate Centre Certificates for schools and groups using the certificate paper available from ASL.

The DofE Virtual Centre (DVC) is nearly here
On 22nd February, we will be launching the DofE Virtual Centre. This will be a facility for young people aged 18+ who are unable for whatever reason to participate in a local DofE centre to enrol online and participate in the Programme with the support of the London Regional Office. Please sign post any young people you do not have the capacity to support to this opportunity. Further information and promotional material will be forthcoming.

And finally…
You’ve reached the end of the mail out. If you can answer these questions three and send them to Jack.Kirby@DofE.org, you will receive an amusing prize!

  1. Who is delivering eDofE training for beginners?
  2. Which school requires volunteers for their practice Expedition?
  3. On what date does the DVC launch?

Good luck!

Thursday 10 January 2013

10th January 2013


Happy New Mail Out

Happy New Year to you all. We hope you had an enjoyable and restful break over the festive period. Just a quick mail out with some interesting info. Expect your usual bumper size mail out in the near future.


Last Chance for the Multi Faith Residential!
We are looking for DofE Leaders from a range of faiths and communities to take part in a FREE two day residential consultation. This consultation will explore how to promote leadership from under-represented communities, how to ensure DofE programmes remain relevant to young people from diverse backgrounds and how to engage them. See the flier here.

Date Sunday 20th - Monday 21st January 2013
Location Theobalds Park, Hertfordshire, EN7 5HW

Food and accommodation will be provided.

For more information or to register your interest, please contact Hayley Shenholds on
020 7227 9820 or at Hayley.Shenholds@DofE.org.


Expedition Leaders Network Event
An opportunity for new and experienced expedition Leaders to learn and share ideas.
This event will explore sharing of delivery methods, environmental concerns, identifying Expedition purpose, campsite selection, equipment selection, sharing resources, expedition food and a chance to get out on the hills for a few hours and try out a climbing wall.

Date Friday 22nd - Monday 25th March 2013
Location Trewern Outdoor Education Centre Herefordshire, HR3 5RF
Cost £200

Food, accommodation and travel from Central London are included.

A coach will pick up delegates from Central London at 9.00am on Friday and drop off delegates in Central London at 2pm on Monday. To attend this event please complete a booking form and return to Kirsty Young at Kirsty.Young@DofE. Flier available here.



Countryside Leader Award
There is CLA course taking place on 2nd February and 18th-19th February. Closing date for bookings is 24th January. Please see this document for more information.


Job Vacancies
The London Borough of Camden were part of a successful bid to increase participation in sports and outdoor education to young people with disabilities and are advertising for a senior worker/coordinator. The DofE will be a key part of the programme. Please see job description, person specification and application at this website. Deadline for applicants is 28th January.

Please also see here for details of a part time Expedition Network Co-ordinator in the Yorkshire and Humber region. Deadline for applicants is 24th January.


Conference Dates Reminder!
Conference dates for Licenced Organisations are as follows:

Monday 18th March – State Secondary Schools and Academy Directly Licensed Centres
Tuesday 19th March – Independent School Directly Licensed Centres 
23rd and 24th April – Local Authority Operating Authorities


Finally…
Don’t forget to enter out fantastic iPhone competition!


Looking forward to seeing you all in the new year!