Forward December 2015 | Page 52

PR E PA R ATORY S C HO OL Community Service at the Preparatory School Service to others is another way the School encourages our students in Year 5 and 6 to live out the school values, in particular citizenship, compassion and integrity, and in doing so develop a lively spirituality. Having compassion and care for others is crucially important. It is part of our Christian heritage. The prophets in the Hebrew scripture remind us that the key to life is: To love justice, show compassion and to walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8) Jesus taught us in his summary of the commandments to love God and to love our neighbours as we love ourselves. We are all members of three communities: • The community at home – our immediate and wider family • The community here at school – the Guildford community • The wider community As members of these communities it is important that we teach our students to care for others in the wider community by participating in the Service to Others program – it is important to celebrate our service to others by recognising those students who participate in this program by presenting Service to Others certificates to all students who participate – this is done in Priestley Hall during our Friday assemblies. Our Year 5 and Year 6 students have the opportunity to participate in our Service to Others program. This takes various forms – from playing bingo, card games, carpet bowls, scrabble and a wide variety of other action-packed activities with the elderly in Nursing Homes (Midland Nursing Home and Morrison Lodge) or playing a practical part in the chapel services held in Midland Nursing Home and Morrison Lodge once a month, assisting Father Philip Raymont. 2015 has brought fresh opportunities for our Year 5 and Year 6 students to serve our community in various forms. One only has to witness the joy in the elderly when our students arrive to engage with them – many of these residents seldom see anyone else during the course of the year – and to have our boys and girls come in; say hello, shake hands, have a chat and engage compassionately with them brings out so many positive reactions – this may be a hug, a kiss on the hand, holding hands, shedding tears of joy, joyous communication 52 and the mere comfort of their presence. When waving goodbye, the spontaneous outpouring of love and appreciation touches one very deeply. So many questions have been asked about the School – comments made about the manners, courtesy, the dress and the massive impact our students have on the residents in the Midland Nursing Home and Morrison Lodge – strong relationships have been forged between the students, the carers and the residents. The Preparatory School has been involved in a range of projects as part of Service to Others that encourage students to live out the School’s values of: • showing compassion to others • encouraging spiritual growth • displaying citizenship as a valued member of the community • acting with honesty and integrity. Of course our service to others goes way beyond the work we do in Morrison Lodge and Midland Nursing Home – all students in the Preparatory School have countless opportunities to show their compassion for others during the course of an academic year: • Emergency Relief Fund – food donations on a termly basis to Foodbank WA • 5 For the Future donations made on a weekly basis – which forms part of a Quarter competition within our Spirit Shield category – these monies are collated each week – totals raised are shared with all at Friday assemblies and at the end of the year, a substantial cheque is made out to Anglicare WA • Crazy Hair Day – through which very impressive quantities of donations are received for the Leukemia Foundation – in 2015 the Preparatory School raised in excess of $24,000 – one of the very special days on our calendar. • Jeans for Genes Day for the Medical Research Institute • Footy Colours Day for the Fight Cancer Foundation • Our annual Christmas Appeal, which coincides with our annual Carols Night – these donations of gifts are presented to Anglicare to distribute to those far less fortunate than members of the Guildford community. Community activities can boost teenagers’ self-confidence. Our students can learn to deal with challenges, communicate with different people and build up their life skills and abilities in a supportive environment. This is also good for their self-esteem. It’s also a great foundation for general and mental health and wellbeing. It can be very positive psychologically for young people to have something that gets them involved, where others expect them to turn up and take part, and where they’re supported to achieve something as part of a group. This is just a snapshot of the spirit of giving that permeates the Preparatory School. Mr Roger Budler Deputy Headmaster, Preparatory School