At SCAS, we believe in fostering a strong sense of community and responsibility in all our students. Service learning is a core value we uphold, providing every student with the opportunity to engage in meaningful community service, thereby building good citizens who contribute positively to society. We are excited to share the details of our Year 9 Service Learning Program, which exemplifies this commitment.
Our Year 9 program began with a meaningful trip to Christ Church Cathedral in Grafton. This full-day pilgrimage allowed students to immerse themselves in the traditions of our Christian culture, engage in their spiritual journey, and learn about the Anglican tradition of service. The experience included relationship building, reflection, worship, and insights from guest speakers.
What is Service Learning?
Service learning combines meaningful community service with personal growth, academic learning, and civic responsibility. Unlike traditional volunteerism, it includes structured reflection, connecting real-world experiences with classroom knowledge, and fostering social responsibility.
Why Service Learning?
Service learning offers numerous benefits, including:
– Developing Empathy: Engaging with various community members fosters a deeper understanding of different life experiences.
– Building Character: Students face real-world challenges, often in activities outside their comfort zones.
– Fostering Responsibility: Encourages social responsibility, empowering students to positively impact their communities.
– Strengthening Collaboration: Emphasises teamwork as students work together to address community needs.
Program Details:
– Schedule: Every second Thursday afternoon for 3 hours (Periods 3-5).
– Duration: Throughout the academic year.
Areas of Service:
– Acacia: Visiting Sienna Grange Aged Care Facility to engage with residents through conversations and activities. (COVID tests provided by SCAS required each session).
– Bangalay: Creating a campaign to educate about textile waste, culminating in a Clothes Swap event at SCAS.
– Coolamon: Collaborating with Billabong Zoo on projects like koala feed tree plantation and exhibit renovations.
– Lilly Pilly: Working with volunteers at St Thomas’ Church to understand and participate in community service.
– Rosewood and Tuckeroo: Partnering with Oz Fish for waterway cleanups, including mapping key locations and establishing fishing tackle rubbish collection points.
Parental Involvement:
We encourage parents to discuss the service learning experiences with their children. This shared reflection can significantly enhance the educational benefits of the program.
We look forward to seeing the growth and positive impact our students will make through this innovative program.
Paul Rikmanis
Head of Secondary School