Community Service
Rationale
St Andrew’s provides students with many opportunities to benefit from a diverse range of options, which encourage them to develop their gifts. We encourage academic excellence; we applaud musical performance and acknowledge sporting achievements. In educational literature much is written about the development of resilience and connectedness. The school encompasses the Christian ethos through links with the Cathedral, Christian ministry and Christian development. Yet little is done to practically follow the way of Jesus – to develop the affective nature of our students – virtues such as honesty, integrity, compassion, respect, humility and kindness – virtues sometimes being assumed they have acquired either from the family or by some ongoing osmotic process.
The development of a Community Service Programme – Total Life Education will not only teach but also encourage our students to carry out well meaning activities that will initially benefit others more than themselves. The programme will take an holistic approach to service for the community. This programme will seek to raise awareness of the needs of others and develop a culture of responsibility and care for them inspiring a sense of empathy and responsibility towards all members of the community.
The programme derives from the School’s Mission Statement and addresses the six aims of the Strategic Plan 2003 to 2008:
Mission Statement
Under God, St Andrew’s Cathedral School is committed to presenting Christ and nurturing individuals into a community of learning, in partnership with the Cathedral, engaging with the city, preparing to meet the world and the future
The Six Aims
- With God’s care and in His strength
- To be nurturing individuals
- To be a learning community
- To partner the Cathedral
- To engage the city
- Preparing to meet the future
St Andrew’s Cathedral School Community Service Programme Aims
The St Andrew’s Cathedral School Community Service Programme aims to
- Provide information and structures to enable students to participate as active citizens in their community
- Raise students awareness of the needs of others
- Promote attitudes of tolerance and belonging among students.
Objectives
Through this programme each student will have the opportunity to:
- Achieve proficiency and confidence in communication
- Develop an understanding of and respect for the values of others
- Attain self-confidence and encourage critical, compassionate thinkers
- Recognise that education neither begins nor ends in the classroom
This will assist students in achieving their potential in a non-academic field of endeavour and in developing their Christian faith.
Scope
The programme encourages all students to participate in a voluntary capacity in their communities and use their time giving and serving.
The Community Service Committee will be organising School participation in a number of Charitable activities throughout the year that will count towards the Community Service Programme, eg Clean Up Australia Day and Walk Against Want.
The Year 10 programme – Service in the City provides the framework for all students in Year 10 to undertake community service within the City.
Duke of Edinburgh community service can be included.
Participation
Tutorials and Year Meetings will be used to inform students of the organisations and the processes required to participate in the programme.
Participation Packs containing information, letters to parents, log book and reflection journal will be available to interested students.
All students in Year 10 will undertake a structured Community Service Programme during their Activity Weeks in Term 4.
Monitoring and Recognition
A monitoring framework will follow the students’ participation at regular intervals. Certificates of recognition will be presented to achieving students.
Evaluation
The Year 10 Community service will be evaluated after each programme concludes. The Whole School Programme will be evaluated annually.
Certificates
Certificates will be presented as follows:
- Bronze: Total: 25 hours (This can include just School Community Service)
- Silver: Total: 50 hours (This must include a minimum of 10 hours Service other than School Community Service)
- Gold: Total: 100 hours (This must include a minimum of 50 hours service other than School Service)
References from Supervisors will be required.
Any fund raising has a limit of 3 hours for any level of Certificate.
