Dear Parents and Guardians,

This week we were given an insight into the Nepal Service Learning Tour that took place over the end-of-year break. A group of 20 boys in Years 10 and 11, accompanied by Mr Dom Garner, Mrs Rebecca Panagopoulos and Mr Justin Verco spent three weeks in Nepal. The tour group explored the wonderful medieval city of Buktapur in Kathmandu, visited the village of Jubing and slowly trekked the Everest route throughout the scenic Khumbu region, reaching an altitude of 4000 meters.

Besides taking in the beauty of the Nepalese country, one of the main focuses of the trip was service learning. Newington’s Service Learning program encourages students to consider their individual roles and responsibilities within the broader community. The program’s activities aim to enhance our boys’ awareness of the inequalities that exist within our local, national and international communities and to provide them with hands-on opportunities to work alongside charity workers and community volunteers.

The boys’ first project was volunteering at the Jubing Village Health Clinic. They restored stone walls, excavated a terrace for a new building and renewed the garden. The boys’ fundraising efforts before the tour enabled them to give a monetary donation to the clinic to assist with ongoing medical support of the local community.

Their second project was to visit the SOS Hermann Gmeiner School in Kathmandu. This school takes in homeless children, providing them with housing, food and education in family groupings. Newington has a 20-year relationship with the school. The boys were also able to make a monetary donation to the school. 

Our Service Learning program aims to teach our boys how to care for others. The opportunities vary from volunteering at the Exodus Loaves and Fishes kitchen, to helping fundraise for CanTeen or the Fred Hollows Foundation. Each year, we let the boys lead in initiative and action as they join their House and school community to do something for others.  I thank the 20 boys who travelled to Nepal for supporting those who are truly in need.

Depth of character needs nurturing and encouragement just as much as academic or co-curricular potential.