Impact Programme Handbook

Direct Service National

Direct service (national) provides students with an opportunity to identify themselves as a part of the broader Australian community and interact directly with our partners in regional and remote communities within our own nation. Through participation in these direct service opportunities students will have the opportunity to make a genuine contribution to the communities that they interact with and will have the privilege of forming genuine and ongoing friendships with people who come from diverse cultural backgrounds and reside in isolate geographic locations. Through their participation in these scaffolded service opportunities, students will also develop an awareness of the challenges that geographic isolation brings upon regional and remote communities and develop empathy towards these unique challenges. As with all direct service opportunities, students will grow in personal confidence, enhance their communication and leadership skills and develop in to empathetic global thinkers. Students are encouraged to prioritise their participation in a direct service (national) opportunity during their years in the Senior School at Somerset. National Service Opportunities Barambah (B) Trip – Indigenous Experience Somerset staff and students will visit the region annually (for six days) to participate actively in daily life at Murgon State School, Moffatdale State School and Cherbourg State School. They work with staff and children unconditionally and energetically wherever and whenever they can, while sharing their own life stories and experiences. The students also continue to assist with promoting the schools’ ideals and programs where applicable, while developing a deeper understanding of the particular needs of schools with a high percentage of indigenous children and an empathy with Aboriginal culture. The trips are known as Barambah Trips (B Trips). Students from the three state schools will visit Somerset College each March for Storyfest. For more information on the B Trips, please email Mr Brad Walker.

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Somerset College Impact Handbook 2019