Small acts, big impact

Service can mean helping people across the world, but it can also happen right here at school, sometimes just on the oval. Helping someone who is hurt, picking up rubbish that isn’t yours or simply being there for a friend are all small ways we can make a difference.

It’s also great to be involved in bigger things. One of my favourite things has been getting involved with Harambee Sundee, our fundraising event that supports children and communities in Uganda and the Philippines. When we come together as a community, even small actions can make a big difference.

Great Mates is an opportunity in Year 6 where you can hang out with the Prep and Year 1 students to help them settle in. Not only is this an amazing chance to meet our new Junior School community, but it is also an opportunity to spend more time with our younger buddies that we meet at the start of the year.

One of the most memorable experiences for me as a ‘Great Mate’ was playing tag with my buddy, Zac, and a couple of his friends. I highly recommend Great Mates to Year 5 students as it’s a great way to give back while learning new things with our youngest students.

The Ambassador Program is a Year 6 leadership program where we create games, activities and workshops for younger students. When I think about the program, I remember being in Year 1 and looking up to my own Year 6 leader. He is now in Year 11, and I still look out for him. Those older students made me feel like I belonged to the Junior School, not just my year level. They made a huge difference.

This year, I had the chance to do the same for younger students. I’m glad I was able to make a positive difference in their lives. Helping them build their confidence and social skills was fun for them and for me. Seeing their smiles and joy made me realise how much a little encouragement can mean. It’s really special to think that, just like I did, they might look back on the program one day with the same happy memories.

When I was younger, I looked up to the Year 5 and 6 students who looked after me and confidently spoke at assemblies and events. They were who I aspired to be. Now, five years later, I’ve had the chance to become that person for younger students. I’ve helped Preps draw, worked alongside teachers and even run a 40-minute art session. If I could go back and tell my Prep self that one day I would be doing these things, he wouldn’t believe me! It’s amazing to see how far I, and so many Junior School students, have come in serving others.

One of my favourite parts of being on the Student Representative Council (SRC) is taking part in activities like cooking meals for people less fortunate than us through the Little Things Community, a local charity providing meals to people experiencing hardship. Being given the responsibility to take part in these activities and help others has shown me how important it is to give back.