Service Learning
As we go past the midway point of YESvember! it is clear that this year in particular, those students and teachers who have stepped up to run activities that boost the morale of peers are making an incredibly valuable contribution. What perhaps is less apparent is that they are also improving their own wellbeing in the process.
Helping others can help develop interpersonal skills, take students out of their comfort zones and build characteristics such as empathy. However, done properly service learning (as opposed to simply service) goes much further than this. When utilised as part of a curriculum it provides an alternative and engaging approach to learning. The student is likely to feel a stronger link to his or her community and strengthened citizenship as a result. And of course, the recipient of the service activity benefits from the support being offered.
IB students on our Creativity Activity Service (CAS) programme will be very familiar with the concept of service learning with their projects including varying degrees of investigation, preparation, action, reflection and demonstration. This process ensures the students take as much from the experience as possible and it is meaningful. Our Grade 8 students are registered with the Saltire Award and many of our high school students are engaged with the Duke of Edinburgh Award. The inclusion of the Youth Philanthropy Initiative in Grade 9 Global Perspectives, development of groups such as the Ambassadors, and ad hoc projects such as the Grade 6 RAKtavists (Random Acts of Kindness) give students opportunities to serve others and live one of our six ISA Values.
Coronavirus has closed some opportunities for our students and as parents I encourage you to keep one eye open for activities that your son or daughter could engage in. Just the other week I spotted a community group clearing paths of leaves not far from the school. It is clear that there are still many ways in which the students can help others and, with a degree of reflection, also benefit themselves in terms of their own personal development and wellbeing.
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