In the Headmaster’s article about beliefs, identity and achievement, he talks about the need for the boys to understand their value systems and develop the strategies to be able to make decisions that are authentic to them. In the classroom, this can be difficult to achieve, as by its very nature the class does not mimic real life, however, our Service Learning Programme in Stage 3 goes some way to helping provide the boys with an understanding of how others live.

Following on from the wonderful collaboration between the children at Cromehurst School and the Lindfield boys, Year 6 visited Thread Together and Kids Giving Back earlier in the term. These two charities work together to help disadvantaged people get back on their feet. During this experience, the boys would never meet the people they were helping, and they would never get a thank you or indeed any form of acknowledgement either. Instead, they would need to understand that their work was completely altruistic and that it impacted the lives of many.

Thread Together receives, sorts and distributes end of line clothes from large fashion houses. These clothes, which were destined for the landfill in years gone by, are now distributed to people who need them. Victims of domestic violence and their children, the homeless, unemployed people seeking to get back into the work-force and the mentally ill amongst others. Anyone who needs help is able, through their case-worker, to access to new clothes. Pop-in shops are now open in Sydney and Canberra that give dignity to these people allowing them to choose their clothes rather than receive hand-outs. The boys were asked to count, sort and fold a mountain of shirts, trousers and tops ready for delivery to Canberra. By the end of the morning, they had packed over four thousand items and had, in doing so, impacted the lives of hundreds of people.

The boys also prepared food for delivery to the Addison Project. This old hotel, in Kensington, is home to 16-25 year-olds who, without the support of the project, would be homeless. The 32 pasta salads and fruit salads all help to alleviate the pressures these people suffer day in and day out.

For us, the reflection of our day at Thread Together and Kids Giving Back was confronting. The boys talked about why people were in these positions and how could society sit back and allow it to happen. Many discussed the fairness of society and why do people ignore the plight of others. If these experiences, however small, start to influence their value systems and help them to think about decisions that are authentic to them then it has been time well spent for everyone.

Phil Trethewey – Year 6 Teacher