College students being of service
06 Dec 2023
From building cots and compost bins to digging deep for conservation projects and sorting gear and packing food parcels to support families, College students have had a big impact across the city during a hectic Community Service Week.
College Director of Character & Leadership, and Service Matt Cortesi explains that “the focus of Service Week is about the boys working hard, having a positive attitude, being humble, and showing generosity to those who have asked for our help”.
“The benefit of the week, for us, is giving boys an opportunity to display leadership, and build character around teamwork, humility, and perseverance, as well as social awareness of others in the community,” he says.
“Among the character attributes that enable our College graduates to flourish is ‘a disposition to serve’ to benefit others, our wider community, and the environment.
“Our service programme in the lead up to the summer holidays encompasses a range of experiences. The boys have been doing everything – from gardening and building compost bins to tidying and sorting gear for families, building cots, shifting mulch, packing food parcels, painting, and plenty of conservation work.”
During their time in the community, the Year 10 students have been helping out at multiple sites, including Burwood Hospital, Edible Canterbury, PIPS (Pregnancy Help), Tūhaitara Coastal Park, Silverstream Reserve, Richmond Community Gardens, Diamond Harbour, 0800 Hungry, and Christchurch Community House.
