Community Service Program

An introduction for school staff and parents

The Program

• The Community Service Program aims to help secondary school students understand the value of giving service to the community

• The Community Service Program is being introduced into all Western Australian secondary schools in 2007

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Origins

• ‘Community service’ as part of the school curriculum is about 100 years old

• It is part of the school curriculum in many countries, eg USA, UK, Germany, Chile, Japan

• An increasing number of Australian schools now include it in their curriculum

• Introduction of the Community Service Program in WA secondary schools was a 2005 electoral commitment

“It gives kids a different option – beyond sports, music and the other usual stuff”

Student, metropolitan high school

Aims

• Develop a culture and ethos of service in secondary schools

• Provide opportunities for students to exercise responsibility and develop leadership skills by resolving real-life problems

• Provide opportunities for students to learn first-hand through helping others

• Benefit students and the wider community

• Recognise the contribution of students who already participate in service activities in their own time

“We learned about people who we didn’t know even lived in our town”

Student, country high school

What will it involve?

• The Community Service Program begins in Year 10.

• Students must complete a minimum of 20 hours of service by the end of Year 12

• From 2009, completion of 20 hours of service will be a requirement for the WACE

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What is community service?

Activities/projects undertaken individually or collaboratively

• for the benefit of others• in an area of need• that offer opportunities for learning

Activities/projects can be of direct or indirect benefit to individuals, groups or the community, eg tutoring recently arrived students in English; teaching community members computer skills; fundraising for the Red Cross

“I preferred people who understood easily and listened; they were easier to work with”

Student, metropolitan high school

Where? How? When?

Community service can be:

• school-oriented

• community-oriented

• during school hours

• outside school hours

• a series of different activities

• a single project carried out over a term or semester

• completed over Years 10-12

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Pilot schools examplesSchool-oriented

• Leadership and skill building – student identified projects

• Student host program

• Tutoring in feeder primary schools

• Buddying with students in an Intensive English Centre

• Peer support – Years 7-8 transition program

• Organisation of ANZAC Day Ceremony

• School Volunteer Program Computer Links – IT skills program for community members

“I liked the teaching the most because old people can be the same as us, they just need help”

Student, metropolitan high school

Pilot schools examplesCommunity-oriented

• Assisting in Seniors Day Centre, child care and after school care facilities

• Environmental regeneration projects

• Videoing a memorial service for Vietnam veterans

• Garden cleanups – Volunteer Taskforce

• Red Shield Appeal fundraising

• Transcribing for the National Trust

• Assisting in Salvation Army and St Vincent de Paul stores

“I liked being recognised for something I was good at”

Student, country high school

Organisation of Program

• The school has responsibility for developing the Community Service Program.

• Programs may include activities that are•school-endorsed and parent-organised•school-organised

• School-endorsed, parent-organised activities are typically those to which students have an ongoing commitment and do in their own time

• School-organised activities can take place during or after school hours

“It was good to help a kid who wanted help and to learn something while doing it”

Student, metropolitan high school

Responsibility for the Program

The Community Service Program coordinator develops and coordinates the program with support from other staff, eg

• learning area teachers

• members of the senior leadership team

• year coordinators and HOLAs

• student services coordinators

• chaplains

• administrative staff

“When I went back it felt nice to be remembered”

Student, metropolitan high school

Potential benefits

•Personal and interpersonal development – communication, leadership, problem solving, self-identity, ability to relate to different groups

• Reduction of risky behaviours

• Development of civic responsibility and skills

• Increased engagement and motivation to learn

• Improved school attendance

• Increased respect between teacher and students

• Improved community perceptions of schools and youth

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Other benefits

• Completion of 20 hours service is acknowledged on the WACE Statement of Results

• Evidence of service experiences can be included in portfolios/CVs

• Participation in community service is often viewed positively by employers

• Service experiences may suggest future career options

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How can you support the Program?Suggestions for school staff

• Let the Community Service Program coordinator know if you’re involved with a community group that could provide service experiences for students

• Talk to students and help them identify community service activities that they already do or could do

• Consider including a community service component in your learning area program

• Offer practical support to the Community Service Program coordinator

“When you teach others, you learn yourself”

Student, metropolitan high school

How can you support the Program?Suggestions for parents

• Let the Community Service Program coordinator know if you’re involved with a community group that could provide service experiences for students

• Help your child identify community service activities that he/she already does or could do

• Discuss the benefits of the program with your child

“It gave me confidence and changed my view of people – especially older people”

Student, country high school

Discussion questions

• What do you think/feel about the Community Service Program?

• How does it fit into the school’s curriculum?

• What do you think the school should do in relation to this program?

“I developed real skills by communicating with adults and people who work at community agencies”

Student, metropolitan high school