Service in Action

Empowering Change And Inspiring Hearts

At QMC, service is not just a buzzword or an abstract concept. It is a core value that students of all ages strive to demonstrate in their daily lives. As the Year 13 Service Prefect, I am privileged to hold a leadership position that allows me to witness the incredible service support shown throughout our college community. It is humbling to see our students, teachers, and staff come together in a unified effort to make a positive impact on the world around us.

As part of our approach to service education, students at our college are encouraged to translate their learning into action. This means responding to community needs and focusing on raising awareness and funds for specific causes. This year, QMC continues to support our two partner charities, Make-A-Wish and Wellington Free Ambulance. These charities are doing remarkable work and we are proud to be part of their mission to make a difference in the lives of others.

Make-A-Wish fulfils the wishes of children throughout New Zealand who have critical illnesses. One significant initiative that has made a substantial impact is the Make-A-Wish Cross-Curricular Club in the Junior School. I lead this club with the support of dedicated Make-AWish student volunteers. Junior School students in this club have the opportunity to create their own fundraising initiatives for Make-A-Wish. They have spent the term getting crafty, creative and organised, to deliver their own campaign at the end of the term. All fees collected from this club will be donated to Make-A-Wish. We have already had the privilege of helping to fulfil one child’s Make-A-Wish wish and are currently working to bring another wish to life for an 8 year-old girl named Poppy. We are incredibly grateful to actively assist in granting wishes through Make-A-Wish. Furthermore, we are excited to announce our plans to establish a Wellington Free Ambulance Cross-Curricular Club in Term 3, coinciding with Onesie Day.

One of our service initiatives this year was the Cyclone Gabrielle Fundraiser – Give FIVE for the Floods. The entire college came together for this multifaceted campaign, which included an exciting raffle, with enticing prizes. From access to the Principal's Car Park for a week to $100 QM Café credit, Bring your Dog to School Day, and tickets for upcoming events, there was something for everyone. What made this fundraiser truly special was the fact that it was entirely spearheaded by the student body. Their dedication and enthusiasm resulted in a college record-breaking amount of $7,470 raised for those affected by the cyclone.

In addition to these incredibly successful initiatives, a group of senior students and staff attended Relay for Life, actively expressing their support for those affected by cancer. As a team, Queen Margaret College raised a staggering $28,552 for the Cancer Society of New Zealand. A special mention goes to Year 11 student Sophie Parker, who individually raised $9,527. It was empowering to experience the sense of unity and hope shared among all those who attended the Wellington Relay for Life event.

In May, a team of senior students volunteered in the annual Mary Potter Hospice Street Appeal, exemplifying their commitment to serving the community. In a single day, the Wellington-wide appeal was able to raise over $67,000 for Mary Potter Hospice.

While we celebrate these achievements, we acknowledge that there is still much more service to come from the students throughout the remainder of 2023. It is heartening to see that our dedication to service goes beyond monetary donations. It is about taking action and making a tangible difference in the lives of others. I am genuinely so proud of the college-wide commitment to service through action this year, and I look forward to witnessing the continued impact we can make together.