Norwest Christian College - a heart for service
At Norwest Christian College , service and mission play a very important role in the formation of young people who are equipped to build a purposeful life . The college believes , that to be successful in life we need to get the heart right , because our direction and motivation comes from deep within us . Part of getting the heart right is to orientate it towards the needs of others , so throughout their time at the college , students are encouraged to actively serve others .
Mrs Felicity Marlow is the college principal and comments ,
“ A purposeful life is one that involves
Year 10 Students volunteering at Our Big Kitchen , as part of their recent City Mission Camp , where they cooked meals for our city ’ s homeless . using the gifts , skills , talents , strength and time that we have been given for the benefit of others . We were made to live in community and community is about investing in others .”
Students from as young as three and right through to age 18 are engaged in opportunities to use their gifts and interests to benefit their peers , the college and the broader community with relevant opportunities for different ages .
Opportunities are available for students to serve within local , regional and overseas contexts . In discussing the impact that this has had on his life , college alumni , Lawrence says ,
“ Norwest has instilled in me the importance of social justice and being a person who wholeheartedly and unconditionally loves others . These are the values that guide every decision that I make and will continue to inform the way I see myself and the people around me .”
A local service opportunity is the City Mission Outdoor Education Camp , attended annually by Year 10 students . Students participate in a local mission camp in and around the Sydney CBD . Led by college staff , they are exposed to social justice initiatives that challenge their perspectives of a prosperous city . This three day experience is confronting at times , however , students participate in debriefing sessions which allow them time to process their experiences and reflect on how they can leverage what they have for the benefit of others .
During the camp , students travel from their city-based accommodation to organisations such as Wesley Mission and hear about the work they do , and to Our Big Kitchen where they cook meals for our city ’ s homeless . Students leave this camp with a greater sense of appreciation for their own position in our community , and a greater sense of responsibility for those who are much less fortunate than themselves .
Other opportunities a little closer to home for the college include continuing
NWCC Students making meals to donate to Blacktown Carevan to support flood victims in the local Hawkesbury area .
to support organisations like Blacktown Carevan by regularly cooking meals for those in need . More recently , as part of their self-initiated project , ‘ Love Hawkesbury ’, which started in 2021 , students have helped victims in the Hawkesbury area with meals and emergency grocery hampers .
If you would like to know more about the college , its focus on service or unique learning framework , please contact them via office @ nwcc . nsw . edu . au .
THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au ISSUE 144 // MAY 2022 25