Welcome back to Term 1 of 2018, I hope that everyone had an exciting and also restful summer break. During the summer, I spent some time reflecting on last year’s successes in Year 5, and one of the ‘big ticket’ items that really stood out for me was the boys’ commitment to Service Learning. At the start of 2017, I was one of several staff members who formed a Service Learning Committee in order to explore how we could better promote the idea of service throughout the school. There had been some fantastic examples in previous years, but often in isolation and also outside of school. The committee’s goal was to really raise the profile of Service Learning throughout the school, which will be an ongoing target for this year and beyond.

Year 5 engaged with a number of projects last year, including weekly visits to Cromehurst School in Term 4, a local school for children with special educational needs. This was an empowering and rewarding experience for both students and staff alike, and having met with the Cromehurst staff this week, we are pleased that we will be continuing the partnership this year. The eventual, and successful aim of the project was for our students to design, make and then test a range of products aimed at aiding the Cromehurst students with their learning, using the design thinking process. These included games about sun safety and dance lessons to help improve coordination.

The move to become a White Ribbon school took a lot of behind the scenes planning, and as a staff we were incredibly impressed by both the student and parent response. This year, we will continue to promote the White Ribbon movement, so that it is a meaningful cause that our boys can engage with in a positive way.

Students also undertook a number of individual and group service projects, to raise money for various causes. This year’s school captain, Freddie Bourne, completed the MS Sydney to Wollongong Charity Bike Ride and promoted the cause around the school prior to the ride. In the final week of Term 4, a number of Year 5 boys put on an arcade for the Junior Primary boys to raise money for Cancer Council. Their games, rules and ticketing system had been carefully planned, and the success of the arcade was a testament to their commitment to Service Learning.

Pascal and I were very impressed by the boys’ enthusiasm and commitment to service and we’re hoping to emulate last year’s success again this year. Last year stood the boys in good stead for this year and we are planning on involving the younger boys in service projects, as well as welcoming the suggestions of the School Representative Council and parents alike. Watch this space!

Thank you.

Sam Watson – Teacher Year 5W