In his message last week, James Dalziel mentioned the way some Grade 12 students went straight from their last formal day to a Service activity; well above and beyond what they needed to do, it was just part of what they wanted to do – indeed, possibly part of the people they have become.
And it’s not unusual. We see it in several areas, and we are working to make sure that Service goes beyond the awareness-raising, beyond the fundraising, and becomes really an integral part of what we do do and who we are. So our College, local and global projects are all working to allow students to create meaning – for themselves that is, and not simply be told what the meaning is. A particularly interesting case has been the Hair for Hope event, run by the Cancer GC.
In one way, it’s a simple event to run – shaving hair for charity has a visual impact, a specified goal, and moral weight. But, as students and teachers asked, so what?What’s the learning? What’s the change beyond a dramatic haircut and a donation to a great cause (worthy as these undoubtedly are)?
Well, first of all, the event itself was not just about the haircut; there was moving testimony from those who had lost relatives, or who had friends battling against cancer. More striking than the whoops of encouragement were the open tears and quiet understanding that this was not simply a show; that it mattered. And perhaps even more telling is the way that event has been taken forward afterwards; a comment from one of the facilitating teachers hit the nail on the head here: “I find this quite often in service… that we mistake the end of a project, usually a fundraiser, with what really is just the beginning. We want a service in which students are part of the whole process, where they plan how we make it a learning event, and where they take an active, informed and ethical stance in designating how the funds they raised will be used”.
And I think the group has taken significant steps. The event itself involved moving testimony, and reflected the seriousness of the issue, and the students are now looking for an evening to celebrate the outcomes, to be transparent and accountable with the funds, and possibly to draw on this event to educate other students looking to do the same thing. So Hair for Hope is not just an event; but a event among many that shows that service is, dare I say, a journey.
And significantly, it’s a journey undertaken together. Josh Tandon, one of our key student drivers, wrote “regardless of the planning, the driving factor was the community support, which boosted the school spirit and sense of community. This gave us GC members the inspiration and motivation to work even harder because we know that everyone in the community will support us. As a community we should be proud of our ability to make an impact on the lives of others, especially those who are in critical situations in regards to their health and well-being.”
It will be great to see the next step; look out for the advert which will be out shortly. I hope to see many of you there.
