Service Based Learning
Taking a proactive and coordinated approach across DCC Secondary, we have participated in several initiatives and events as manifest examples of DCC partnering with organisations who are working towards a better tomorrow. Some worth mentioning are the following.
Urban Life - Adam Bryant and Nerilee Rinkquest
Urban Life (a transformational partner) is a local church that actively supports people in its local community. Earlier this year, our college student leaders met a community member who shared their experience of being supported by Urban Life after facing homelessness. Inspired by this story, our students felt called to support some of Urban Life's community outreach programs.
Over the past few weeks, students from Student Council, Care and Wellbeing, Faith and Life, VM and staff have volunteered at the Urban Life Community Brekky and Friday Night Shelter. They have helped prepare and serve meals, make tea and coffee, clean up, and most importantly, spend time connecting with people in our community.
Through these experiences, our students have shared a little of themselves with some of our community's most vulnerable people, helping them feel heard, valued, and seen. In return, they have enjoyed spending time together, building meaningful connections, and experiencing the joy that comes from helping others.
We are incredibly proud of all students who have been involved. Their compassion, generosity, and willingness to serve are wonderful examples of our college values in action.
Safe Water September - Leanne Benson
Our Year 7 students have enthusiastically embraced Safe Water September, a Global Mission Partner raising awareness and funds to support communities gaining access to water and sanitation infrastructure. Students are learning about the importance of access to clean and safe drinking water for communities around the world. Throughout these four weeks, students have participated in water-carrying challenges, providing a firsthand glimpse into the daily reality faced by many people who must walk long distances to collect water. Alongside these activities, students have supported fundraising efforts through bake sales and other initiatives. We are overwhelmed to share that so far, the Year 7 cohort has raised just over $5,300 to support clean water projects. The month will conclude with a community BBQ on Tuesday 15 September, celebrating the students' commitment to the challenge of drinking only water throughout September and recognising the difference their efforts will make in the lives of others.
Be Kind Project - Matt Adamek
During Term 2, the Year 8 students took part in the Be Kind Project. As a year level, we explored the science behind kindness and the collective impact we can have on others when we combine our efforts to make a difference. Students worked together to provide products and services to raise money. They held food stalls, ran car washes, organised free dress days, and even took on extra chores at home to contribute to the cause. Students raised an impressive total of $3,008.
This year, we partnered with Tearfund to support their mission of empowering communities experiencing poverty. At the end of the project, each homeroom pooled its fundraising efforts and worked together to decide how to allocate its funds through the Tearfund Useful Gifts Catalogue.
Overall, the Year 8 cohort contributed the following gifts to communities in need:
- Local School Support × 3
- Back to School for All × 7
- Toilets × 7
- Business Starter Kits × 3
- Farming Starter Kits × 6
- Goats × 12
- Safe Water × 21
- Chickens × 55
- Train a Healthcare Worker × 3
- Lifesaving Nutrition × 6
- Train a Teacher × 8
- Healthy Mums and Babies × 1
- Keep a Girl Learning × 1
Tearfund Workshop - Matt Nicholas
At Year 9, we’ve launched a new COG (our Friday afternoon community building programs) called Global Justice where we are partnering with Tearfund in various ways including taking part in a recent workshop.
The workshop, titled “I Can Make a Difference”, was held on Monday 31 August. It was led by Ben Howes, from Tearfund’s Melbourne office, with the 15 students in the Global Justice COG participating as workshop facilitators on each table, leading their peers through the 4 activities. The workshop involved building an understanding of who Tearfund are and what they do, as well as a broader understanding of what poverty looks like on a macro and micro scale. The workshop concluded with students gathering to pray in groups, imploring God to intervene for those experiencing extreme poverty. It was powerful.
Sharing Hope Soccer Match and Fundraiser - Kylie Thorpe
What began around a campfire at the Year 10 Murray River Camp has grown into a powerful community response to the needs of refugees from Burma (Myanmar). During camp, students heard from Bay Klay, a representative from Sharing Hope, who shared his personal story and insights into the ongoing challenges faced by people affected by the civil war in Burma. His presentation deeply moved many students and inspired six Year 10 students to join a planning committee alongside several staff members to bring awareness and support to this important cause. Building on this initial experience, some of these students also attended the Sharing Hope Business Breakfast, where they heard firsthand from guest speakers and learned more about the challenges facing displaced communities and the work being done to support them.
In the lead up to the fundraiser, senior Homegroups participated in three educational sessions designed to help them better understand the situation. Students learned about the civil war in Burma, its impact on individuals and families, and the ongoing refugee crisis. In early August, Sharing Hope representatives visited the College and spoke at a Senior Secondary Assembly, further strengthening students' understanding and connection to the cause.
The culmination of these efforts came with the Sharing Hope Soccer Match and Food Fundraiser. Places on the prestigious soccer teams were highly sought after, with students eagerly competing for a spot on either Carter's Champions, coached by the ever-enthusiastic Mr Carter, or Hamilton's Heroes, led by Ellie Hamilton. Six members of the Sharing Hope team also joined in the fun, helping to create a fantastic sense of community and connection.
Students who pre-ordered lunch were treated to authentic Karen noodles or fried rice, providing both a delicious meal and a meaningful cultural experience. Thanks to the generosity of students and staff, the event raised more than $1,000 to support the work of Sharing Hope.
The journey does not end here. In the coming weeks, or early next term, Homegroups will be invited to participate in the "Not Forgotten Challenge," where each senior Homegroup is challenged to raise much-needed funds for the TMK School on the Thailand-Burma border, supporting students and their families who have been displaced by the ongoing conflict.
A huge thank you to our student committee, staff volunteers, Sharing Hope representatives, and everyone who supported the event. Together, we are helping ensure that these communities are truly not forgotten.
