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 primary schools – Bankwood and Fairfield. This engagement includes coaching sports, helping with reading and music or simply eating lunch with the students.
Year 11 Service Programme
Year 11 students are encouraged to find a charity that interests them and volunteer their time to help that charity reach a goal. The 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.
International Service Trip
A group of students travel each year to Cambodia to work alongside the charitable organisation FLAME, which operates a number of activity centres in Phnom Penh that allow children to attend classes if they missed out on government-provided schooling.
The Community Gala
Every two years the school will organise a gala for the local community, which includes food stalls, games, entertainment and a monster garage sale. Funds raised go towards projects designed to help the local community.
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.
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 Fairfield Project.
St Joan’s Rest Home – Ukulele and Art Lessons
Students teach ukulele on Tuesday lunchtimes and art on Wednesday lunchtimes to the elderly residents of St Joan’s rest home.
The Serve
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. The Serve is a community project based in Hamilton that serves a substantial evening meal year-round to those in need.
- Flame Cambodia: A group of students travel each year to Cambodia to work alongside the charitable organisation Flame Cambodia, who operate a number of activity centres in Phnom Penh that allows children to attend classes if they miss 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.
To find out more about service at St Paul’s, contact Reverend Peter Rickman, School Chaplain, on:
Tel: +64 21 197 7788
Email: revpeter@stpauls.school.nz
