Benefiting the Wider Community
As an Anglican School we recognise that the roles of service and character are inevitably linked: serving another builds character, while strong moral character issues in service. Since our foundation, St Peter’s College has emphasised a sense of service through selflessness and our most important work is shaping the character of the boys and young men by developing a sense of truth, respect and service.
Our Service Learning Program is based on relational and life transforming activities that promote student growth and benefit the wider community.
The School’s core values of truth, respect and service are the building blocks for the character of our students. It is through service that our boys:
- Find meaning in their lives
- Gain perspective of the world/society around us
- Improve their mental health and wellbeing
- Form connections and;
- Develop and utilise valuable social, emotional and relational skills.
Service Learning Program Student Outcomes
Demonstrates an awareness of own strengths and areas for growth.
Articulates challenges that were undertaken, and new skills acquired in the process.
Ability to discuss, plan, execute and evaluate service initiatives.
Demonstrates regular involvement and active engagement with a service initiative, even when things are challenging.
Capacity to work collaboratively with others, listening respectfully to other people’s ideas and being willing to take on different roles as required.
Demonstrates an awareness of issues of global importance and takes appropriate actions in response to them either locally, nationally or internationally.
Ability to consider the ethical implications of choices and actions, thinking carefully about right and wrong.
The Journey
Service Learning opportunities commence in the Early Years and continue throughout the Senior Years.
Social, organisational, leadership and communication skills are some of the areas we begin instilling on our boys throughout their time at St Peter’s College and are largely enforced throughout the Service Learning Program. As boys continue through their educational journey, their expectations grow and commitments increase, further adding to their development.
Year level service activities commence in Years 8 and 9. Our Senior School students, with advice and guidance provided by teachers, organise their own Service Learning opportunities. All senior students are expected to complete a minimum of 20 hours.
Internal and external opportunities are in abundance within the School and our boys currently participate in the services detailed below.
Vailima Garden Retirement Community Visits – Prep
Prep students build strong relationships with Vailima Garden Retirement Community residents as they alternate visiting them at their village or on School grounds. Students bake and serve scones, paint, and read books together. The Prep boys find points of connection and establish new and unlikely friendships that spark conversations and lifelong memories.
Sony Foundation Holiday Camp – Years 10 and 11
St Peters College and Wilderness School work together for three days and two nights to care for students living with a disability, as part of South Australia’s only Sony Foundation Children’s Holiday Camp. The power of inclusivity and the joy of shared experiences is evident in this meaningful service experience.
Buddy Up Respite Program – Years 11 and 12
The objectives of the School’s Buddy Up after-school respite program are threefold: to support parents in our greater community who have a child living with a disability by giving them a well-deserved break, providing a safe and friendly environment where their children can participate in engaging activities, and to provide our students with authentic opportunities to learn from individuals with unique life situations. Year 10 students have an opportunity to be involved in Buddy Up during Term 4.
SARAH (MOTHER OF BUDDY UP GUEST ZOE)
Buddy Up Respite Program
“The boys are the most patient, kind, courteous students I’ve ever known. They have been naturals at interacting with Zoe and have quickly understood how to communicate on her level. Children like Zoe are really no different to you and me in that they want to be loved and cared for and included – and that’s exactly what the Buddy Up Program is teaching these boys.”
BEC (MOTHER OF FORMER STUDENT HENRY)
Sony Camp
“Henry came home from Sony Camp excited and full of stories about how great the camp was and how good it felt to give back to others. We really value the spotlight SPSC shines on service and the belief that ‘in giving, we receive.’ It is but one example of how SPSC lives out its values and partners parents in nurturing kind, thoughtful young men who will grow into great future citizens.”
ZIG (YEAR 11 STUDENT)
Blue Threads Social Enterprise
"Blue Threads operates on a simple premise: we use the proceeds from the sale of clothes donated by our school community to fund the school’s social programs. This demonstrates the reality that even small actions can have a significant effect."
Archie (Year 12 student)
Puddle Jumpers
"I can’t begin to explain how much I have learnt and been given in return as a volunteer with Puddle Jumpers. Through the support of under privileged and at risk children I have new friends, new skills, new knowledge of the people living in my own community and many new experiences I would not have had without volunteering. It has been one of the best decisions I have ever made."
PREP STUDENT
Vailima Garden Retirement Community
“I like the scones and also it was nice there because we gave the older people scones, we read books and the second time we made paper airplanes.”
House Service
As part of our pastoral care program, our 10 Houses foster relationships with organisations founded on solidarity, action and advocacy. Some of these relationships extend with widely known organisations such as Novita, The Royal Flying Doctor Service, Beyond Blue, Guide Dogs and Headspace.
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