Communty Service
Grade 6 - 10 Service-Learning Updates T
he MYP Service Program consists of four separate programs based around the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs): Grade 6-7 Service Program, Grade 8 Community Project, Grade 9 Individual Service Projects, and Grade 10 Service Program. The following are small snapshots of what Concordian students have been doing in service-learning so far this academic year. Grade 6 The G6 students have had a busy year of becoming initiated with the MYP service-learning program. Students have spent time learning about the different types of service areas and projects, while also working to enhance their understanding through group and independent research. In addition to expanding their knowledge, some students have already begun their first service projects by conducting beach and park clean ups, spending time with residents at elderly homes, and visiting public schools to assess how they can contribute to their needs. Students have also worked diligently to raise funds by designing their own fundraising projects, like selling protective face masks and straps, and selling small plants from recycled material containers. Overall, they are off to a strong start and looking forward to a promising year ahead. Ms. Chelsea
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Grade 7 This year’s Grade 7 students have continued the two-year program they began last year in which they develop and complete several mini-projects. Differing from the first year of this program, the Grade 7 students are able to choose their own service groups, changing members after the completion of each mini-project. By the end of November, all groups had designed and undertaken one project eac. These projects included beach clean-ups, planting of mangrove trees, cleaning of temples, visiting and helping at underprivileged schools, and reading stories to members of a blind community, among other initiatives. It needs to be noted that all of these projects were developed independently by the students, and we’re all looking forward to seeing the next round of creative ideas! Mr. Ben
Grade 8 Our Grade 8 students have been hard at work this semester coming up with ideas and goals for their Community Projects. This year, each group has a unique challenge of trying to enrich their local communities in meaningful ways while also navigating the difficulties associated with the “new normal.” Thus far, all groups have come up with some very creative solutions to issues that many are facing in and around Bangkok which include digital handbooks on personal hygiene to tree planting initiatives to creating more greenspace in our communities to delivering protective equipment to underfunded hospitals. We are currently looking forward to seeing the Grade 8’s creative approaches to the fundraising portion of their Community Projects, and then eagerly await their showcase and exhibition at the end of the year! Mr Aaron
Communty Service
Grade 10 Grade 10 students have taken on a wide range of service projects so far this year to address a SDG in their local contexts. One group has been working to raise awareness of the importance of sleep among the MYP and DP students while another has been leading presentations on nutrition science, health, and wellbeing. Another group of Grade 10 students have been busy adding beautiful plants to the garden and preparing to create terrariums and bracelets to sell for the planting club. A hugely successful clothing drive planned by another group has gathered donations for students in need, and yet another group has been hard at work making and selling paper flowers to raise money for Chacheongsao Hospital. Meanwhile, another group has started a massive recycling campaign on campus and placed new bins for the grade levels to fill with recyclable goods. This is just a glimpse of what is happening Grade 9 with some of the Class of 2023! The Grade 9 Independent Service-Learning builds Ms. Michelle off of the Community Project from the previous year, and enables students to select and tailor their service-learning around their own passions and interests. Students started off the year by sharing their personal goals and ideas for projects. After pitching these ideas to the class, time was taken for students to join together based on similar interests and visions. From there, the investigation and research process began. Groups have been working hard developing their ideas, reaching out to outside groups for collaboration and information, and preparing to start taking action over the next several months. Teacher advisors were able to select projects that pertained to their own personal passions, and have been working alongside the grade 9s to help guide them towards success and sustainability. Mr. Jaren
Clothing Drive A
Robin, G11
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t the service day, we started off with a presentation by GEPP Sa-Ard (Keep Clean) that helped raise awareness about Thailand’s issues with sustainability. Afterwards we were sent to different groups to work on different projects. I was assigned to Ms. Marijoy’s group where we helped organize clothes donated by the Concordian community for a clothes drive. I feel that the act of donating clothes, as well as other things, is very important. Just because we don’t need something anymore does not mean that someone else doesn’t need it. It saves us the trouble of having to throw the clothes away, and it also lets the people that may need the clothes more have an opportunity to receive clothes for no cost. I’ve heard many good things about other groups, and I cannot be more proud of our community.
Communty Service
Fundraiser Tournament O
n service day, our group spent the morning packing food items into bags. It was a bit tiring carrying the items up and down so many times. But when we got them assembled, we started working in ragons Football was finally able to play again an orderly fashion, and efficiently completed packing on September 26the with a Community Football around 230 bags. Tournament. Feeding the Needy and The Youth Fund partnered up to raise funds to help provide to people In the afternoon, we went to the slum area in that had been hit hard during the Covid-19 pandemic. Bangna to donate the bags of food. We were split up into groups by our grade levels, where each group Students, alumni, teachers, and parents gathered went to different areas to donate. Seeing the elderly together on a Saturday to play for this worthy cause. smile after handing the food bags to them melted my There were 6 teams, and the event lasted from 8 in heart. the morning to late noon. There was uplifting music The Feeding the Needy will continue actions to help provided by RadioActive club to pump up players’ the people in need and we are extremely thankful to energy, and food and drinks were sold for everyone Concordian for giving us an opportunity to give back to our community. that participated and the many spectators.
Feeding the Needy
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We are extremely grateful to have the opportunity Thank you for the donations, the funds, and to be a part of this club and make a positive impact especially for participation. in our local community. We used the funds from the tournament to buy non-perishable food items for Sanjana G.12 people who were badly affected from the Covid-10 pandemic. For us, donating food to people or organizations gives rise to a feeling of friendliness and trust among our community. The fact that we are helping others is very empowering and makes us feel happier as well as more fulfilled. The Concordian Communnity’s donations and support has greatly helped further both club’s missions, and most importantly, it has helped the people in need. Upon completion of our goals, we plan to continue giving, working and actively supporting those in need, and to organize events that bring our school community together.
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Thank you Mr. Robert, Dr James, and the Concordian Service Administration team for guiding and supporting our plans through the event. Both clubs are sincerely grateful for your help to make this event possible. Thank you to everyone that joined on the September 26 Football Tournament. Thank you for the donations, the funds, and especially for participation. Parents, special shout out to you for your generosity! Your contributions have been delivered to the Bangkaew areas, and have made this event a success. Written by Prim A. and Sanjana
Communty Service
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ervice day has shown me a different perspective of our world. Going around the slum, I was surprised to see how poor the environment was, and how it affects so many people across Thailand. The living conditions are unbelievably horrible and inhumane. Some of these people suffer from severe illnesses but have no access to medicine. One of them couldn’t even stand up or walk. The smiles and happiness from receiving the food bags made me realize how lucky we are to have the opportunity for a bright future. It made me realize how lucky we are to live a comfortable life with soft beds and warm showers. It made me realize how lucky we are to have access to good food and clean water. It made me realize how lucky we are to have access to a good education. It made me realize how some of these people are going to sleep with empty stomachs.
These people in the slum lack access to proper food and nutrition. They are forced to sleep on the floor and to deal with leaking roofs and creaking floorboards. The conditions of poverty and slums are extremely evil, and no one deserves to go through such a painful experience. We went there for almost 2 hours with a total of 208 food bags, but we didn’t even cover half of the whole slum area. Seeing these people’s living conditions made me realize how much help they need from society. On the ride back to school, I realized how we can all contribute to help these people, simply by donating clothes and usable things that could make their lives easier. Service day really taught me how lucky we all are to have such a comfortable life and how important it is to help these people out of poverty. Nemo G.9
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Communty Service
Mural Service Project
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n a continuous effort to create enriched learning environments for our primary students, a group of 50 high school students embarked upon a service activity painting ten murals which took one day to complete. The aim was to make a vibrant environment for students to interact while raising awareness of the UN sustainable goals with a focus on environmental issues. The Mural service project is part of Concordians Schools’ drive to create a stimulating and conducive environment for students, as well as to pave the way for them to develop their creative talents further. We are very proud of our high school students and would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their service, creativity and commitment. Mr. David
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