SERVICE & ACTION

"Service is an integral part of the learning experience at CIS. Through service we develop empathy, cultivate an attitude of gratitude, gain knowledge of real needs in the community, use and hone our individual strengths and take action."

OUR MISSION

Service is a core part of who we are and what we do at Chinese International School. Our mission states “The school prepares its students to be compassionate, ethical and responsible individuals, contributing to local and global communities, respectful of other views, beliefs and cultures, and concerned to make a difference in the world” and our comprehensive service programme exemplifies what we believe about the way we should treat each other.

Service allows our school to contribute to and make a positive impact on local communities. Currently, we have strong relationships with 25 NGOs in Hong Kong that serve a variety of underserved communities and causes around Hong Kong. Our service is action-focused and an integrated part of the learning program. Service brings opportunities to make connections between the curriculum and communities beyond the classroom.

The primary purpose of service at CIS is to enrich the learning of our students while helping others. We consider service to be an integral part of holistic learning. It provides hands-on, real-world learning that fosters caring members of society while addressing the needs of others. Service breaks down barriers, including differences in age, gender, ethnicity, academic or physical ability, and is something everyone is involved in. Service allows the giver and receiver to benefit equally, even though that benefit may be of a completely different nature.

OUR SERVICE MODEL

At CIS, service is organised around three main criteria. Students are asked to address each one in detail, and explain how their service project this year has met the following criteria.

• Local. The project is focused on my immediate community (Hong Kong, China).

• Active. The project involves hands-on work, more than just planning, meeting and fundraising. Your action requires you to have face-time with the beneficiaries throughout the life of the project.

• Sustained. The project meets at least 2-4 times a month for at least 3+ months. (More is OK!) Students are expected to be involved with service throughout the year, but if a certain project ends in three months, they can continue with another. Each service project should require a minimum 3-month commitment.)

At CIS, service interaction starts within the walls of our own school (primary years) and extends to the local and international levels. The communities we serve are those presenting a real need, and as a school, it is our responsibility to ensure that our service activities are part of a learning process.