Impact Programme Handbook

Programme Overview continued The investigation of community need and collaborative preparation of service opportunities with our community partners ensures that a genuine contribution is being made to the community; tokenism is not our aim. Action is the result of solid investigation and preparation and requires students to personally participate in one, or all, of the three types of service opportunities; advocacy, indirect service and direct service. Reflection is the process through which students explore how their service has impacted on others and themselves cognitively, socially and emotionally. Finally, demonstration provides students with an opportunity to present to others about what they have learned through service and teach others about the community partner or issue they have been involved with. Our community partners consist of charitable groups, community organisations and schools, all of whom have placed significant trust in the integrity of Somerset College and its students. We endeavour to have genuine and sustainable relationships with all of our community partners. We acknowledge that their involvement in the Impact programme is paramount to us being able to provide meaningful service opportunities for our students and we seek to work collaboratively with them to realise genuine outcomes for those within their sphere of influence and communities. Our community partners are the most important stakeholders in the Impact programme at Somerset College. Our students are encouraged to participate in the Impact programme with the same vigour as their academic, sporting and cultural endeavours. The benefits of their involvement in service are countless, but may include things such as forming new friendships, developing empathy for others, identifying personal growth areas and strengths, overcoming challenges and developing new skills, working collaboratively with others, including adults, considering various ethical implications of their actions and developing a global outlook. Participation in scaffolded service opportunities will assist students in fulfilling the compulsory requirements of the International Baccalaureate; however, this is not the primary aim of the programme. Service opportunities at Somerset College are about providing meaningful service; service which will have a lasting impact in the community and in the lives of our students.

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Somerset College Impact Handbook 2019