Service programmes
Students at St Paul’s are encouraged to take part in a number of activities as part of the school’s service programme to give back and help those less fortunate. The programme promotes a transformational style of service that reaches out to the community and builds relationships with other service providers. This character-building programme is completely voluntary. Some of the service activities are as follows:
Over the Fence Ministry: Students spend lunchtimes helping in local low decile primary schools:
Bankwood and Fairfield. This includes coaching sports, helping with reading and music or simply having lunch with the students.
Year 11 Service Programmes: This programme has established a partnership with the Refugee Orientation Centre Trust – a not-for-profit organisation helping refugees settle into life in New Zealand. The students volunteer for the centre’s after-school homework programme, which helps primary-aged children get up-to-speed with their academics.
Waikato Hospital Chaplaincy: Students assist the Sunday morning programme at the Waikato Hospital’s chaplaincy department by helping with the transfer of patients from the wards to the hospital Chapel for morning
worship.
The Serve: The Serve is a community project based in Hamilton who serve a substantial evening meal year round to those in need. A team of students supported by the school chef and catering staff, plan, prepare and cook a two-course meal for anything up to 80 people. Once prepared this food is taken to The Serve.
St Joan’s Rest Home: Students teach ukulele and provide art lessons to the elderly residents of St Joan’s rest home.
Community Fridge: Through a partnership with the Fairfield Community Project ‘Te Whare O Te Ata’, the community fridge ensures the delivery of fresh vegetables, fruit and meat to local families surrounding the
school who are in need. Staff, students and school families stock the fridge located in the chapel for delivery to
the Hamilton Combined Christian Foodbank.
Flame Cambodia: A group of students travel each year to Cambodia to work alongside charitable organisation Flame Cambodia, who operate a number of activity centres in Phnom Penh that allow children to attend classes if they missed out on government-provided schooling. The Book Tuk Tuk, a mobile library, is a project born out of a partnership between Flame Cambodia and St Paul’s.
Fundraisers
Every two years the school organises a Community Gala, which includes food stalls, games, entertainment and a monster garage sale. Funds raised go to support our Over-the-Fence Programmes and encourage the community to come together and have fun. Other fundraising activities include World Vision 40-Hour Famine, school mufti days, and the boarders’ charity relay.
