Year 11 Students’ Winter Clothes Drive: A Hands-On Lesson in Community Service
Friday 21 June 2024
At St Leonard’s College, the experiential learning program is designed to provide students with real-world experiences that complement their academic studies.
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As part of this program, three Year 11 students from our Senior School International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) – Lila, Imogen, and Pauline – organised a winter clothes drive as part of their CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) project.”
Working in partnership with the Avalon Centre for Homelessness, the students aimed to provide warmth and comfort to Melbourne’s homeless population during the city’s cold winter months.
This hands-on project is a key component of the IB Diploma Programme, designed to encourage students to engage actively with their local and global communities.
Lila, Imogen, and Pauline chose to address the pressing issue of homelessness in Melbourne, focusing on the immediate needs during winter. Their initiative drew enthusiastic support from the school community, resulting in a substantial collection of winter clothing items.
This project allowed the students to apply classroom learning to real-world challenges, enhancing their understanding of social issues and the impact of community service. The experience of organising the clothes drive – from planning and promoting the initiative to collaborating with the Avalon Centre and collecting donations – provided valuable lessons in project management, teamwork, and empathy.
We thank everyone who contributed to this cause. Your generosity has made a significant difference in the lives of those in need.
Lila, Imogen, and Pauline’s commitment to this project exemplifies the practical, service-oriented learning that St Leonard’s College encourages. Their efforts not only met academic requirements but also fostered a sense of responsibility and community engagement.
Congratulations to Lila, Imogen, and Pauline for their successful winter clothes drive. Their work demonstrates the positive impact that hands-on, experiential learning can have on both students and the community.
