Service Learning… a concept journey at PoP
Term 4 Year 10 at Prince of Peace Lutheran College has traditionally been dedicated to Service Learning projects. There is a time tabled line in which the whole cohort has studied “Careers” and this line is turned over to the cohort to work collaboratively on a project. In the past this has usually involved travelling off site into nearby aged care facilities bringing a variety of goodies and interactive activities. In 2020 this was not an option. I have observed that there is not yet a deep understanding of the 7 Concepts of Service developed by LEQ over a long period of deep thought and consultation involving Meg Noack and Brother Damien and others.
My intention in this unit was to challenge the students to find a deeper relationship with these concepts and to find ways to demonstrate that relationship and the associated understandings of the concepts within our own space.
Making personal, overt and measurable change in our community, would I hoped, help the students to recognise the longer term implications of their investment. In my mind this is not a 1 term project. It is instilling a new way of thinking about being in relationship with others, an awareness of themselves within a broader world and its incumbent responsibilities. I want them to think overtly about the decisions which they make every day and develop habits which challenge them to live the values demonstrated by “coming as guest“, being fully “present“, honouring everyone with “innate dignity“, taking time to listen to each person’s unique “story“, investing time and energy in building “community“, going beyond themselves and “crossing their boundaries” in new situations and relationships, demonstrating care and “stewardship” for the world around which sustains and enriches our lives.
Linda Brady
Music Curriculum Leader
Extra-Curricular Music Coordinator
