For students at Carinity Education schools, their learning extends beyond the classroom. They are actively engaged in supporting and giving back to the community they live in.
Students volunteer in their community in a variety of capacities, from cleaning beaches and animal shelters, to reading to young children and packing food hampers for people in need.
Demonstration of volunteering and work experience also allows students to gain credit towards certificate courses undertaken at their school.
Serving communities in Brisbane is an important component of Carinity Education Southside students receiving a rounded educational experience.
Each week, senior students provide around 100 minutes ‘volunteer time’. Beneficiaries include Lighthouse Care Loganholme, Westside Community Care, RSPCA Wacol and the Carinity Wishart Gardens aged care community.
“Volunteering helps everyone: those in the community who benefit from our time, but also our students. They can see that our society needs volunteers and they can play a role in that,” says teacher Bill Reinhold.
Being a volunteer has taught Southside student Mariah the importance of community.
“Over the past couple of years, I have met a large number of people from different walks of life and heard their stories. It has had a positive impact on my life and taught me to view the world differently.”