Building the foundations of social responsibility and community engagement

Sarah Blunt, Service Leader | Middle School

Scotch College places a strong emphasis on service as a core pillar of its foundation. In Middle School, we are particularly proud of our initiatives and student engagement.

Year 8 students were recently involved in a Community Project (CP) Launch where past Year 8 Community Project students presented their stories. Students learnt about projects involving Blue Tree initiative (prevention of youth suicide), Containers for Making Change (purchasing sporting equipment for Jigalong Remote Community School), All Abilities Football (assisting with sporting achievements), and Making Memory books for aged care residence.

They participated in a round table speed dating exercise with 15 different service organisations. The immersion morning gave students the opportunity to hear from a variety of organisations that are doing important work in areas such as homelessness, elderly care, environmental conservation, all abilities sports, children’s health, podcasting, and music.

Students are now set on the pathway of discovering their service journey and learning that these experiences can have a lasting impact on their life learning and help them to become compassionate, responsible, and engaged citizens who are committed to making a positive difference to the world around them.

This term, students across the College participated in The World’s Greatest Shave and helped to raise a staggering $155,000 for the Leukaemia Foundation. The boys benefitted from hearing Dr Fiona Langdon speak about her family’s journey and how the Leukaemia Foundation has assisted her husband Ben with his treatment. Ben and Fiona’s son, James Walaski (Year 7), raised an impressive $40,000 to help support this important cause. Hearing a personal story helped the boys understand the importance and impact of their fundraising efforts. We thank Fiona, Ben, and James for generously sharing their story.

With the help of the ever-helpful Community Service Club, we wrapped up the Summer Term with an Easter Raffle. Students brought in Easter Eggs, made hampers, and organised a free dress day. Students bought raffle tickets and then waited patiently to see if they were one of the lucky 16 winners. All funds raised will be donated to East Kalgoorlie Primary School to purchase Learn to Read books. Students have learnt through this fundraising initiative that reading is a gift of life.

All the activities throughout the term have provided students with valuable opportunities to learn about and engage with a range of community organisations, fostering their sense of social responsibility and community engagement.