The Benefits of Community Service

Benefits of Community Service

Community Service is a significant part of the life of St Catherine’s students in both the Junior and Senior Schools. By involving themselves, the St Catherine’s girls learn first-hand, as well as by the initiatives of other students, how beneficial such service is to the broader community.

Furco,(1996) defines Community service as ” the engagement of the students in activities that primarily focus on the service being provided as well as the benefits the service activities have on the recipients ( eg providing food to the homeless during the holidays). The students receive some benefits by learning more about their service which makes a difference in the lives of the service recipients”.

Our Years 9 and 10 Leadership Diploma, designed for students to develop leadership skills through a variety of school based activities, has community service as a core component. Completed over two years, the Diploma is a pre-requisite to be eligible for a Leadership Position in Year 12.

This year, the Year 10 students have designed their own initiatives to raise the awareness of St Catherine’s students in the following ways:

  • Crazy Sock Day – to raise awareness and funds for the Clown Doctors caring for Very Special Kids at the Royal Children’s Hospital. Term 1
  • A Drive for the Avalon Centre, East Malvern to raise awareness and donate warm clothes to people in need over winter. Term 2
  • White Ribbon Day to raise awareness and educate our community about the harm caused by violence against women –Term 4
  • A Drive to donate books and stationery to the Fijian Villages of Navanga, Nasivikoso and Draiba following the experience last year on the Year 9 Heyington to Highlands program – Term 3
  • Pink Ribbon Day – to raise awareness and funds for the Breast Cancer Foundation – Term 3
  • Donating to the Feed Melbourne Appeal to assist others in need. This will involve donating pasta, tinned tomatoes and plain flour. – Term 3

This community service requirement is complemented by The Duke of Edinburgh Award Service Learning requirement. The Duke of Edinburgh awards consist of participation in the following areas:

  • Service- an opportunity to challenge yourself to be a responsible, caring member of the community
  • Adventurous Journey- an opportunity to challenge yourself to explore with your eyes open
  • Physical Recreation- an opportunity to challenge yourself to improve your health, fitness and performance
  • Skills – an opportunity to challenge yourself to improve your skills and widen your interests

There are three categories of awards:

  • Bronze (3 months ongoing participation in Service, Physical Recreation and Skills)
  • Silver (9 months ongoing participation in Service, Physical Recreation and Skills)
  • Gold (12 months ongoing participation in Service, Physical Recreation and Skills)

The Duke of Edinburgh Award ensures the girls:

  • Are equipped to achieve their personal best
  • Learn to take responsibility for their goals and choices
  • Become connected to and actively engaged with their immediate community
  • Make a real difference to society through their positive contributions and involvement
  • Learn to persevere and overcome barriers to success
  • Learn important life skills
  • Increase their career opportunities

Further information on the Duke of Edinburgh award can be found here 

Astin and Vogelgesang (2000) found the benefits of Community Service, also known as service learning were “… significant positive effects in academic performance, values (commitment to activism and to promoting racial understanding), self efficacy, leadership (leadership activities, self-rated leadership ability, interpersonal skills)…”

More information on the Years 9 and 10 leadership Diploma can be found here

Mrs Gina Peele
Director of Student Programs

 

References

Furco, A. (1996). Service-learning: A balanced approach to experiential education
W., Vogelgesang, L. J., Ikeda, E. K., & Yee, J. A. (2000). How service learning affects students