Secondary School News

From the Deputy Principal Pastoral Care, Nick Jones

​Service Learning

At John Wollaston, we are committed to assisting our students in becoming active and informed citizens who make socially responsible contributions to the community in which they live. We seek to develop in our students, an ability to behave in an ethical, compassionate, globally-responsible, empowered, engaged and inclusive manner. Service learning is a way we can assist students to develop these important qualities. When our students engage in various service learning projects, they are also building interpersonal and communication skills, problem-solving abilities, complex thought processes, collaborative skills, ethical reasoning, and social and political understanding. These are important competencies that students need to thrive in our ever-changing globalized world.

Our students contribute to the wider community in a range of different ways, including;

• Financial donations to several worthy charities such as Anglicare, The Salvation Army, Cancer Council, World Vision International and Australian Red Cross.
• Students contribute through working with The Salvation Army. This includes the regular donations of soup, prepared by students and staff in our Technology Centre kitchens, for the homeless.
• Annual involvement in national campaigns including the World's Greatest Shave, Daffodil Day-Cancer Council Australia, Red Nose Day, Book-In-A-Day and Anglicare WA Street Connect Sleepout.

This year we have five Secondary students who are preparing to travel overseas in 2019 to work with and teach English to children living in the small villages of Cambodia. We will be travelling with students from Frederick Irwin Anglican School and Peter Carnley Anglican Community School.

Emerging research outlines the benefits for students when they engage in relevant and meaningful service learning experiences. Students have the opportunity to apply content and skills in a real-world environment for real-world benefits, leading to tangible improvements in student outcomes as well as increased motivation to learn. We are also aware of the social and emotional benefits which include increases in personal happiness, life-satisfaction, hopefulness, open-mindedness, self-esteem and connectedness.

As we reach the midway point of Term 2, I wish you a restful and enjoyable WA Day long weekend.

All the best.

Nick Jones

Deputy Principal Pastoral Care