Community and Service
Year 10 Service Learning Programme
The Year 10 Community and Service Programme commenced last Friday with an introduction to the breadth of the Service Learning Programme and the Scotch College Service Model. At the briefing boys were introduced to the various agencies they will be working with and how the logistics will work. While some activities will be based on campus, many boys will travel to work alongside agency personnel and volunteers. Boys will receive an email from the Director of Community and Service detailing the activity in which they have been placed, the dress requirements, the staff member they need to report to and the meeting place. It is important that each boy is aware of where they need to be following Period 4 on Friday.
Food Rescue
The UnitingCare West (UCW) agency - Food Rescue - is seeking assistance from companies based in the Perth CBD. This agency collects fresh, unsold food following lunch from various restaurants and cafes and distributes it to various outlets serving the homeless and needy families. While Food Rescue has committed volunteers from a few CBD-based companies, more companies are needed to come on board. If you can help, please contact Julie Broad at Food Rescue directly on 9277 8851. Mobile: 0437 245840 julie.broad@unitingcarewest.org.au.
Cambodia Service Tour
During the first week of the holidays a group of 10 senior boys and two staff members ventured to Cambodia to continue the work of improving teaching and learning opportunities for students in Soun Sah village north of Siem Reap. The group visited some of the harrowing memorials to the horror of the Kemer Rouge era. They also spent a day in the wonderous temple complex that is the Ankor World Heritage Archaeological Park. The trip to Cambodia is the third by Scotch boys and staff and offers a great opportunity to strengthen the already productive partnership between Scotch College and the Soun Sah school community.
Disabled Surfing
On the Saturday before school commenced, the second Disabled Surfing Association event for the summer was held. Fifteen Year 12 boys and a number of boys who have just left the College served as volunteers. The turnout by Scotch boys was wonderful and the boys all worked very hard to provide a good morning at the beach for over 80 disabled participants. At the end of the event, Bruce Peel, the President of the Disabled Surfing Association in WA presented Scotch College with a framed certificate in appreciation for the assistance since 2007.
Shrove Tuesday: Pancake Day
Shrove Tuesday this year falls on Tuesday, February 17. Senior boys from Shearer House will be rostered on throughout the day to assist members of the Ross Memorial Church in West Perth to cook and sell pancakes in aid of UnitingCare West social services. Pancakes will be cooked and sold for $3 each to the public from 7.00am - 2.30pm at the corner of Colin and Hay Streets in West Perth. Members of the Scotch community are most welcome to purchase some pancakes - and perhaps have a coffee at the adjacent café.
Breast Cancer Care
One of our local service agencies is keen for members of the Scotch community to volunteer at the 'Long Table Lunch' to be held in support of Breast Cancer Care at the Claremont Showgrounds in March.
For more information go to www.breastcancer.org.au or contact Annalisa Chin,Volunteer Coordinator on Ph: 9324 3703.
Round Square
- Nicaraguan Service Project
During the summer break Mr David Kyle served as the Assistant Leader on a Round Square International Service Project in a remote village in Nicaragua. This was fully funded by the Round Square Organization. Students from Round Square schools across the world travelled to Nicaragua to form a work team assisting villagers to build a bridge across a stream - greatly improving movement around the area.
This experience for Mr Kyle serves as an example of the benefit to flow from our membership of the Round Square network of schools. It is hoped that Scotch College boys will soon be able to apply independently to join one of four Round Square International Service trips in different parts of the world.
- Year 10 Exchanges
During last term and over the holidays a number of Year 10 boys ventured overseas to take up Round Square Exchanges in Germany, Switzerland, South Africa, USA, Denmark, Austria and India. Last term we hosted boys from South Africa and Switzerland in the reciprocal part of the exchanges and this term we will host boys from Germany, India and the USA. These exchanges are another example of the benefits that flow to the College from our membership of Round Square. Within the organisation there is a clear understanding of the process for organising exchanges and the standards of care required. Regular meetings of Heads and appointed Round Square representatives from all the schools ensure that standards are maintained.
Mr Bill Cordner
Director of Community and Service
