Junior School Service Program

Abstract

Aquinas College provides ‘across-school’ leadership positions for each of the key areas of Religious education, spirituality and service. These areas are sometimes referred to as the ‘head, heart and hands’ model of religious formation and they reflect a holistic approach to education by including experiential learning. In doing so, each area becomes an intrinsic part of a young boy’s education at Aquinas and every student is called to be a ‘man for others’. In 2005, a formal service programme was introduced at the Junior School level and a Service Coordinator position was created. It is important to keep in mind the overall context in which this programme was developed. The aim of the programme was not only to promote and engage younger students in volunteering and fundraising (as most primary schools already do), but to also link them to service projects that already existed in the Senior school. The Junior Service Program also incorporates leadership and reflections on gospel values and sees volunteering as a learning exercise as well as an opportunity to help others. The main characteristics of the Junior Service Program (known as the JSP) are: (a) Voluntary, (b) Membership, (c) Structured activities, (d) Reflection, (e) Recognition.

Citation

Richards, J. (2017), "Junior School Service Program", Service-Learning (International Perspectives on Inclusive Education, Vol. 12), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 115-122. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1479-363620170000012008