Service Learning news: Our impact can be felt far and wide

Our Service Learning Program is constantly evolving in an effort to ensure our students, staff and families can find meaningful ways of contributing to the world around us. We are building strong connections with services that are making a difference. These services are incredibly stretched as a result of the current need for support. It really is incredible to hear each of our partners embrace the opportunity to work alongside our girls and challenge them to make an impact.

Building Community Connections

Last week the Year 11 cohort met with Kym Anderson, CEO of Compass Community Care, a local service that offers a range of programs supporting vulnerable members of the community. 

Kym spoke of the urgent need for support for those vulnerable community members. She spoke of women fleeing domestic violence with little more than the clothes on their backs, starting a new life without the support of loved ones or the consistency of their own home or funds to support themselves. She also spoke of the haven that Compass Community Care have created, a space that invites people to take what they need and feel valued and empowered when they most need it.

Kym introduced us to Iryna who told us of the beautiful life she led in Ukraine, prior to war breaking out. She shared the story of her escape from her hometown Melitopol after its invasion on 25 February and how she came to be in Australia. Iryna ended by telling our girls that no matter what happens in your life, with faith and determination, you can do hard things, things you never thought that you could.

In the coming weeks, we will ask these girls to remember their time with Kym and Iryna and dig deep to support Compass in doing the amazing work that is so desperately needed. If you have connections with clothing or food suppliers that may be able to assist our appeal in the coming weeks, please email Ms Lewis, slewis@shelford.vic.edu.au. 

Moonlit Sanctuary Animal Sponsorship 

The Junior School banded together to support wildlife at Moonlit Sanctuary. Students were given an opportunity to learn about a range of animals at the Sanctuary and donated their coins to an animal of their choice. The Murray Darling Python was a clear favourite, with the Swift Parrot coming in second. In the coming weeks, we hope to have enough funds to sponsor not only these endangered animals but also a Dingo and a Growling Grass Frog. Thank you to Perrine and London for educating your peers and offering this experience.

Simone Lewis

Service Learning Coordinator