Service and Sustainable Development (SSD)

Overview

All SSD Learning opportunities in High School are focused on addressing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Students research into the complexity of global issues and work towards finding sustainable solutions to them. They do this by engaging with the 5 stages of Service learning, to investigate, prepare, take action, reflect, and demonstrate learning. Student learning is guided by the Service, Sustainability and Peace curriculum.

Students are encouraged to reflect on their skills, talents and interests to choose a Service that is meaningful to them. The opportunities available to them include Environmental Initiatives, Local Service, Global Concerns, Focus Groups and Leadership.

For an overview of the programme and expectations please visit the HS SSD Website.

Student Requirements

Environmental Initiatives

Environmental Initiatives give students the opportunity to research and take action in the areas of conscious consumption, conservation and permaculture.

Conscious Consumption

In these services students engage in circular economy concepts, reexamining traditional consumption patterns and theories of growth. Students are empowered to make informed choices, giving them agency over their decision making and personal choices. Most of these Services happen after school.

Conservation Services

In these services students embrace the complexity of natural systems, identifying threats and creating solutions to protect threatened species and ecosystems. They develop skills to care for our planet and take action as environmental stewards. Most of these Services happen after school.

Permaculture Services

In these services students interact with sustainable design systems and apply ecologically harmonious principles that are found in nature. Practical skills in conjunction with theory allow students to experience, design, implement and monitor initiatives that enable the community and the natural world to coexist. Most of these Services happen after school.

To find out more about Environmental Initiatives click here.

Local Service

Local Services give students the opportunity to build ongoing reciprocal relationships with Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWO’s). Students learn how to investigate and take informed action to help contribute to their community. Students can choose from services that support the following beneficiaries:

People with Disabilities

Students partner with VWOs to address the stigmatisation that people with disabilities face and improve social inclusion.

People with Mental Health Conditions

Students partner with VWOs to support people with mental health conditions to reintegrate into society.

Seniors

Students partner with VWOs to help seniors live meaningful and active lives.

Childcare Centers

Students partner with nonprofit childcare centres to offer equal access to educational opportunities.

Migrant Workers

Students partner with VWOs to address social wellbeing and income inequality for migrant workers.

To find out more about Local Service click here.

Focus Groups

Focus Groups Services give students the opportunity to lead initiatives to raise awareness of human rights issues and social injustices. Students partner with local and global organisations to organise awareness and advocacy campaigns to encourage others to care and take action. Most of these Services happen during Thursday lunchtimes. There is also an expectation that students complete tasks in between meetings and take part in Focus Group events.

To find out more about Focus Groups click here.

Global Concerns

Global Concerns Services give students the opportunity to build partnerships with grassroots Non Government Organisations. Students are involved in researching, advocating, fundraising and taking informed direct action during Service trips. All of these Services happen during Tuesday lunchtimes. There is also an expectation that students complete tasks in between meetings and take part in GC events.

To find out more about Global Concerns click here.

Leadership Services

The Service and Sustainable Development (SSD) Executive gives students the opportunity to develop their capacity to lead all aspects of the SSD programme. In these services students become experts in the use of the service learning and systems thinking tools. They use these tools to lead workshops and up-skill their peers. These positions are by application only.