Forward December 2021 | Page 4

SCHOOL LIFE

Service Learning

A staple of the Guildford Grammar School culture and ethos is its continually evolving focus on Service Learning , providing students with extraordinary opportunities to work actively and creatively within the community .
Our vision to create a positive impact on society is strengthened by the many Service Learning initiatives we champion . These are embedded into the curriculum program in the form of direct service , indirect service , advocacy , work in the broader community , fundraising and participation in co-curricular programs . The purpose of building a healthy Service Learning program is to engage students in projects that serve the community while building social , civic , leadership and academic skills , whilst realising our school purpose – Inspiring students to achieve personal excellence and be outstanding citizens who work to create a just , loving and peaceful society .
2021 has been a fruitful year for the Service Learning program , with many successful initiatives and meaningful contributions made by our students and school community , including , but not limited to the following :
Containers for Change As part of our effort to tread more lightly on the planet , Term 3 saw the first meeting of our One Planet Guildford Task Force . This is a group of staff and students ( from the Prep and Senior School ) who are working to make us more sustainable as a school . The Containers for Change scheme was introduced with a fleet of yellow wheelie bins as part of a new project to recycle used drinks containers in return for 10c each . We estimate that we currently landfill around 150,000 used drinks containers each year . Every container recycled will raise funds to further Good Sammy ’ s work and will fund environmental projects around the School .
Tree planting As part of our special activities to celebrate our 125th anniversary year , Preparatory and Senior School students planted approximately 140 trees on the campus during Spring , contributing to our green and spacious surroundings . We hope that in years to come , our students will proudly watch the trees grow and they will be a strong symbolic reminder of the School ’ s very special milestone anniversary .
Foodbank WA Our Preparatory School families were inspirational in donating an amazing 605kg of food to help the charity fight hunger in Australia which will provide over 1000 meals for families in need .
The Blue Tree Project Harper House launched their support of the Blue Tree Project to raise awareness for mental health by planting a blue tree in Robinson Court on campus . This wonderful initiative is in support of the Blue Tree
Project ’ s mission which is to help spark conversation and encourage people to speak up when battling mental health concerns . By spreading the paint and spreading the message that “ it ’ s OK to not be OK ”, we can help break down the stigma that is still largely attached to mental health .
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