COMMUNITY & SERVICE College in the community
Service is one of the special aspects of College life that helps develop the whole College man. Over the last 12 months two Houses in particular have been engaged in working in educational settings in the wider community, with great results for both the providers and the recipients. “All these service activities enrich those providing the service as much as those receiving it,” says Assistant Principal – Community Engagement and Special Projects Neil Porter. “That’s the very cool thing about service, and it’s a valuable lesson for our boys to learn. There’s so much satisfaction, fun and camaraderie in doing the task, that the outcome is often just a byproduct to those doing the work. Of course, for those receiving assistance, the result can be a huge help practically and really enriching for their whole community.” Neil says the plan is to have every House develop a relationship with an external organisation – where the House offers itself as a resource and opportunities can be created for the boys to do service. “I believe that if boys have been exposed to service opportunities in their teenage years, they are much more likely to be involved in service projects in later life.” Condell’s House now works on a regular basis with the non-profit Avonside Early Childhood Centre, while Rolleston House is building a strong relationship with Spreydon School in Hoon Hay.
“Through a parent contact we were able to identify the Avonside Early Childhood Centre as a good fit for our service aspirations,” says Condell’s Housemaster Alex Robertson. “We went over last year and helped with gardening and planting, cleaning toys and equipment, and during Service Week the boys read to and played with the children. The children loved having the boys there.” This year the Condell’s boys hope to extend their work to making some planter boxes – a good activity in House mentor group time – and to painting the exterior of the Woodham Road building. “Now the current Year 11 boys know where the centre is, they can make arrangements to go over and
see the children or help out when they have time,” says Alex. “This is an ongoing project, which seems to suit the boys really well. They have all responded so positively.” The Spreydon School project began in 2019, initiated by senior student Finn Brokenshire and former Housemaster Neil Nicholson. “They established the relationship, which saw the boys spend time at the school, reading to the pupils, playing games with them at lunchtime, and sometimes providing hash browns at breakfast,” says Rolleston Housemaster Dr Briar Wait. “During Service Week the Year 10 boys spent several full days painting a long length of
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