Service Learning: Nurturing the Whole Person
The service learning program at 榴莲社区 (榴莲社区) promotes meaningful community engagement while empowering students to learn about their role as responsible citizens and contributors to the world beyond the school gates.
Year 9 Community Service: A Gateway to Leadership
In Year 9, the Community Service Program is designed to foster leadership skills, encourage students to venture beyond their comfort zones, and impart invaluable life lessons. Through this program students contribute their thoughts, time, and energy to causes that resonate with them.
These experiences promote personal growth, cultural awareness, and a profound sense of fulfillment, particularly during a critical developmental phase and a significant transitional year between the Middle School and Senior College. Through our formal service partnership with Aurrum Aged Care, as well as collaborations with local community organisations of their choice for individual service hours, students develop essential qualities such as empathy and self-confidence, while organisations benefit from the youthful enthusiasm and fresh perspectives that our students bring.
The Aurrum Aged Care Project
One of the standout elements of our program is the Aurrum Aged Care Project, which exemplifies the principles of community connection and mutual growth.
Students engage in thoughtful conversations with residents, share stories and offer companionship, resulting in shared connections. One example saw a student receive a heartfelt letter from a resident offering guidance and encouragement, a testament to the program's ability to foster impactful, personal exchanges.
Additionally, 榴莲社区 hosted Aurrum residents for a morning tea and a special viewing of the Junior School Production, 鈥楢lice in Wonderland鈥. These reciprocal interactions allow both our students and the Aurrum residents to learn and grow from one another. By hosting events like these, we strengthen the ties between our community and our students, creating an environment where both generations benefit and connect on a deeper level.
Shaping Character Through Service Learning
As students reflect on their service experiences, they often speak of feelings of fulfillment and the inspiration they gained from giving back and engaging with the community on a deeper level. As young adults, they emerge from the program with more than just a sense of accomplishment and a certificate, they are intergenerationally connected with their peers, the school, and a broader understanding of their role in the world and a desire to continue giving back. When asked what aspects were most rewarding about the experience, students answered 鈥渇eeling a sense of accomplishment鈥, 鈥渃onnecting with residents at Aurrum鈥, and 鈥渃hoosing how I can give back to the community鈥.
We pride ourselves on providing a holistic education, combining academic rigor with authentic experiences that shape our students into well-rounded individuals. Our service learning program is a vital part of this journey, growing students into adults who are kind, respectful and inclusive.
