Community Contribution

Those pupils involved in the range of charitable works of the school learn the value and impact of service to others.

They use communication skills to convince others to donate to their cause and then give their time to visit and support projects in Belfast, India and Romania. They learn about overcoming adversity, the importance of perseverance and they learn how to put their own problems into perspective.

Moneybox is a charity group within the college which organises a range of events throughout the year, from which all proceeds go to various charities chosen by the Moneybox Committee. The Entertainments Group is open to any budding performers – dancers, singers, actors, musicians etc. in the College. The group stages concerts at the end of each term in day centres.

The Community Service Group is a timetabled option for pupils in Sixth Form who can choose it in lieu of doing Games on a Wednesday afternoon.

Pupils are placed in various locations. Examples of work undertaken by pupils include: • Helping with Cubs and

Brownies in a local special school; • Helping in classrooms with special needs pupils in a local special school; • Helping with old people receiving day care in a Belfast day centre; • Assisting in charity shops and offices around this area;

Salters Sterling Outreach Project

The College is involved with RBAI and Victoria College in an outreach project with three Primary Schools in the Sandy Row/ Village area, initiated by Dr Salters Sterling and Senator Martin McAleese. The aim is to promote an appreciation of the value of education and its role in enhancing opportunity. By growing community self- confidence, extending the range of life-time options for individuals and encouraging community leaders to continue the journey away from violence, through peace, to reconciliation, it will hopefully bring cultural and economic benefits to the area. In 2013 the College was awarded the Aisling Award for outstanding educational achievement for our work in this area.

At Methody we aim to “work for the benefit of the school and the local community, while recognising the concept of service to all communities, national and international.”

Romania Society

Methody has been involved in a project with the charity School Aid Romania from 1990. School Aid Romania is a cross-community venture that seeks to help those in need, in Romania. Every year pupils travel to Romania with St Patrick’s College Maghera to support families living in poverty in isolated rural communities, those in residential care and young people and children in schools and orphanages.

Each year pupils fund raise for the trip. All the money raised goes directly to the poorest of families, orphanages, old people and homeless people. Not only is it used to bring immediate aid during the week when the pupils are there, but it is also used for sustainable aid which helps those families and orphanages throughout the year.

The College India Society

Each Year Methody raises money to help the ASHA Slum Project in Delhi. Main activities include: • Planning fundraising for ASHA • Making cards using designs provided by the women in the slums • Finding out more about India and the work of

ASHA in the slums.

Every 18 months a group of students and teachers go to India to help with the Project.

At Methody we aim to “work together to develop an understanding of the importance of forgiveness, reconciliation, recognition and renewal in order that individuals, communities and society may flourish”.

“A key aspect of Methody that stood out for me were the opportunities available outside of the classroom. Whatever your interest may be there is a club or society to suit your taste. Through participation in extracurricular activities it is much easier to settle in and make friends.

Getting involved has been so important for me, and others to help us develop our interests and skills. The staff and pupils actively encourage participation and create a positive environment for trying new things.”

Sofia Gray, Head Girl, 2022 – 2023

“Having come from a small primary school, I was slightly overwhelmed at first by the size of Methody, but I was soon put at ease by both the teachers and older pupils, who made me welcome.

The opportunities to meet new people through music groups, sports teams and a broad variety of different clubs and societies meant I made new friends very quickly. This made me feel a part of the Methody family from the moment I arrived and allowed me to settle in very quickly.”

Peter Unsworth, Head Boy, 2022 - 2023