PBC students have a strong sense of personal responsibility; demonstrate initiative and commitment to our school and our community. Additionally there is research that has demonstrated the benefits of volunteering on wellbeing. Individuals who engage in regular community service or volunteering have better mental health, social connections, sense of purpose and life satisfaction. There is also consistent evidence that for those who reflect on their service these benefits are enhanced.
As a school we offer students relevant and meaningful opportunities to serve their school and broader community. These opportunities also closely tie to the Australian Curriculum's personal and social capabilities, so whilst these activities are extra-curricular they are also aligned to curriculum.
Aged Care Visits in some courses
Prep Reader Program on Mondays in Period 4
External, community based include opportunities possible at local sporting clubs include unpaid refereeing or game official e.g.: water runner or timekeeper, canteen volunteer, coach/assistant coach and clinics, maintenance work of facilities or equipment and any volunteer work at a club or community event
Volunteering Gold Coast offers hundreds of opportunities each week
(link: https://volunteeringgc.org.au/volunteering-opportunities-gold-coast/)
Community Service Reflections
To support the added benefits of reflection on their volunteering students are encouraged to complete a personal reflection on their experience. Students who successfully complete a written reflection and submit to their campus principal will receive a bonus 5 hours of community service.
The reflection must be at least 300 words and no longer than 500.
The structure of the reflection should use these sub-headings; Goal Setting - What did you hope to achieve through this volunteering?
Journaling - Recording the journey, explanations of activities you undertook.
Reflection - What were the lessons you learnt about yourself, the organisation you volunteered for and about volunteering itself?
Making your Hours Count
Community Service Recognition - Every OPTIMA assembly dedicates a portion of the program to recognise the efforts of students participating in Community Service either in a PBC opportunity or externally. PBC programs track hours for students participating and these are collated and returned to admin officers compiling records for the OPTIMA assemblies.
For external opportunities students are asked to submit a participation form which details the activity they did, the date/s, hours completed and a contact person who can verify their participation. These forms are available from Student Services or can be downloaded from the link on the right.
Completed forms should be returned to Student Services.
Recognition Levels