Service As Action

‘Educating the mind without educating the heart is like no education at all.’

Attributed to Aristotle.

‘IB learners strive to be caring members of the community who demonstrate a personal commitment to service, and act to make a positive difference to the lives of others and to the environment. IB World Schools value service with others as an important way to engage in principled action across a range of overlapping local and global communities. Through responsible action, tightly connected with sustained inquiry and critical reflection, young people and adults can develop the kinds of attributes described by the learner profile that are essential for success in future academic pursuits and for adult life.’

Our well-established Middle School Service Learning Programme engages all our students in hands-on service action, encouraging the personal commitment, confidence, initiative and leadership that lead us to the success of so many projects. Working in small groups, throughout the year, students are encouraged to initiate and drive projects that positively impact their personal growth and the lives of others. From a Grade 8 mountain hike with the asylum seekers to a colourful Grade 6 cultural celebrations day, from the Grade 7 reading week to the Grade 6 weather centre, projects are wide ranging, supporting our school, local and international communities.

Support for our three charities remains at the heart of the programme, with every student playing an important role. The students continue to work tirelessly, raising funds to offer nurse training to NAG (Nawa Asha Griha) students in Nepal. Some of our nurses are now qualified and working in Kathmandu. We stay connected and follow their stories as new, young trainee nurses take their places on the course.

Continued support for Kids of Africa, Uganda, has allowed us to support the building of a new school on the shores of Lake Victoria, contributing to the sports facility, the library and the dormitories. In addition, our students have collected and restored 5’000 books, now delivered and filling the library shelves.

Each year we are able to take a small group of students to Bulgaria to gain invaluable first hand experience, working with the young people of The Cedar Foundation. Over the last few years we have supported the development of new homes, installed a new play area and have developed a multi-sensory environment for the centre.

In the words of a Middle School student, ‘Service learning strengthens global awareness, builds strong relationships and pushes us to our limits with the hard work and emotional involvement. Every one of us has the power to make a difference; we can all help make the world a better place for ourselves and for others’.

Service as action allows you to learn about yourself, about other people, and about the world we live in. Through engaging in service activities, you will be able to engage with the following learning outcomes for service:

  • become aware of your own strengths and areas for growth

  • undertake challenges that develop new skills

  • discuss, evaluate and plan student-led activities

  • persevere in action

  • work collaboratively with others

  • develop international mindedness through global engagement, multilingualism and intercultural understanding

  • consider the ethical implications of your actions