Proficiency Courses
Proficiency Courses are about developing important life skills in a special subject in a fun, challenging and interesting way. Most divisions do around 2 Proficiency Courses per year. Once you have finished a Proficiency Course, you will be awareded a Proficiency Badge that you can sew on to your uniform, plus you will get a certificate to keep.
Youth members have 20 Proficiency Courses to choose from— from learning about how to act during an emergency, how to care for someone who is ill or leading a healthy and balanced life!
The Grand Prior’s Award
The Grand Prior’s Award is one of the highest awards you can receive as a youth member— to get it is a major achievement! The Award is the special award of Grand Prior, Prince Richard, the Duke of Gloucester.
To achieve The Grand Prior’s Award, youth members need to complete 12 Proficiency Courses, with 2 of the 12 needing to be the Knowledge of the Order and Health Care and Caring.
Southern Cross Award
The Southern Cross Award is designed to be a flexible framework of personal development and achievement for any St John member aged 16 to 25. The activities are not pre-determined— you choose the activities that you want to do. This is a great award if you need some flexibility!
Sovereign’s Award
The Sovereign’s Award is the highest award that can be achieved by youth members aged 16-25 internationally. It is designed to encourage members to engage in personal development through participation in their community, develop initiative and broaden their experiences. The Sovereign’s Award is awarded by the Sovereign Head of the Order, Queen Elizabeth II!
The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award
The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award was initiative by His Royal Highness, Prince Phillip, in 1956. It is a prestigious award and operates in more than 140 countries around the globe. The Award is open to young people aged from 14 to 25 years and the Award consists of three awards (Bronze, Silver and Gold) with 4 sections (physical recreation, skill, service and adventurous journey).
The Award may be completed in conjunction with your St John activities in participating states/territories. Ask your Leader for further details or visit www.dukeofed.com.au.
