Service Learning Helps Shore Boys and the Community

The Service Learning program at Sydney’s Shore School plays a significant role in forming the characters and outlook of the boys who attend.

Boys through their Houses (pastoral care group of 80 boys from Years 7 to 12) partner with two to three other Houses and align to one external charity or community group. Each term boys then share the responsibility of providing help, service, and assistance in a range of different community/organisational needs, either weekly, fortnightly or per School Term.

As the school's Head of Service Learning, Huw Blood says, “Through service, boys’ hearts and minds change, by giving and assisting vulnerable people in our greater Sydney community. Over time, boys learn positive traits such as compassion, empathy, and kindness as part of the school’s Christian message and ethos.

“My role is primarily involved in taking student groups out into the community to serve and is always done through a culture, belief and value of serving others, not doing so to gain an award or recognition.  Demonstrating qualities of humility and humbleness through service is always imperative. I certainly believe service is about the community, people, or person you are serving. Culturally, this is an important message I uphold in service at Shore."

The programme has students volunteer their time and efforts for the benefit of others. In doing so, they learn and live by the core values of the service ideal - respect, humility, integrity, care, and gratitude. The programme creates the opportunity for the students from Prep to Year 12 to participate in the work of non-profit organisations including, but not limited to Rough Edges, Cancer Council, the Salvation Army, World Vision and Anglicare.

It took some effort to engage and establish relationships with communities, charities, and organisations.

“This process took over 18 months and is ongoing in terms of administering the partnership and opportunities for boys, staff and parents as they are required throughout a calendar year. The partnerships were formed through three criteria in brief: the partnership allowed educational learning to take place, regular and consistent service was required, and the Houses involved could also assist in fundraising as required,” Blood says.

Service has taken place at Shore for many years, but this model involving the community partnerships has been in effect for the past two years.

There are many significant links between curriculum and service in the wider community. Links to specific subject areas in different content areas such as Geography, PDHPE, Christian Studies, English and many more. The service programme importantly links fundamentally to the School’s Character in Action programmes, further improving student’s sense of wellbeing and connection or belonging.

“Many schools have service as a key part of their educational experience. While every school’s model is different, I certainly believe that a programme in service is vital to the growth of students, staff, and parents in any school community. Setting up a service programme takes patience, collaboration with community and understanding the needs of people and organisations.

“In terms of financial considerations, key considerations may include a dedicated staff member to service, and pending on circumstances or environment, other resources or staff would be very important. The model at Shore distributes the load across many staff and students, mitigating lost class time if the service is during school hours,” he says.

Blood has worked at Shore since 2011, teaching primarily PDHPE. During his time, he has held positions of Boarding and Day Housemaster, Master-assisting in PDHPE, Acting Sportsmaster and other academic roles throughout his time at Shore.

“Previously I lived and worked in country areas of central-west NSW, including Dubbo, Lithgow, and Bathurst. Growing up in Bathurst, as a student at All Saints College, under Headmaster Dr Timothy Wright (also former Headmaster at Shore) was a wonderful experience, and has certainly helped me relate to many country families at Shore during my seven years in Boarding.”

Blood was recently awarded the ACEL NSW Leadership Award, he was nominated internally and then assessed externally by the NSW ACEL board.

While pleased with the recognition he says, “There is really a sense of some tension personally, as my role is primarily involved in taking student groups out into the community to serve and is always done through a culture, belief, and value of serving others, not doing so to gain an award or recognition. Demonstrating qualities of humility and humbleness through service is always imperative. While a very humbling honour, I certainly believe service is about the community, people, or person you are serving. Culturally, this is an important message I uphold in service at Shore.”