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The service domain of experiential education encompasses various programs aimed at fostering students’ sense of social responsibility and community engagement.”
Junior School
Service Programs
Throughout the Junior School, multiple opportunities exist for students to engage with the experiential learning cycle through its challenge, reflection, and planning components.
Service learning is integrated throughout the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) of inquiry. Each unit of inquiry culminates in an invitation for the students to take action in relation to what they have learned. Along with action in the classroom, co-curricular opportunities exist such as the sustainability club (The Green team). The Green Team, meet weekly and engage in sustainability initiatives, like promoting separation of waste, including caring for our two worm farms, recycling and reusing. This recycling and reusing was enacted in term 3, 2023 by the team leading the collection of winter coats for BayCISS, promoting empathy and social responsibility. Our students are encouraged to challenge themselves to make a difference, to plan how best to do this and then reflect on their actions, participating in an on-going cycle of action and reflection with the aim of working together to meet the IB Mission to make a better, more peaceful world.
CUE Program
Year 9 Community, Urban, Environment (CUE) Program
The Community Service Domain aims to develop a principled sense of service to others and the concept of contributing as a volunteer.
It puts each student in a community placement with an organisation that serves the local area or beyond.
This may include working in a primary school, a childcare centre, a nursing home, or an organisation for those with disabilities. Students are placed in an organisation in groups of two or more.
Duke of Edinburgh
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Program – Years 9 to 12
The Voluntary Service section of the Award encourages young people to volunteer their time and understand the benefits of this service to their community.
Participants identify a cause or project that will allow them to connect with their community and give service to others and their communities.
Student Leadership
Student Leadership – Years 1 to 12
The overall student leadership development model is in place to give students opportunities to experience leadership in a supportive and encouraging environment.
At the core of leadership is service. Students are given formalised and informal roles to practice the skills involved with being a successful leader. This includes captaincy and leadership positions from the Junior School through to the Senior School.
Leadership training includes forums and discussions on the values and ethics of leadership, demonstrable and observable behaviours, mentoring students through the process and providing valued and valuable feedback throughout the journey.
NPELS Program
Noble Park English Language School (NPELS) – English Teaching Program – Year 11 and 12
St. Leonard’s College students make a two-term commitment to work on a project which supports learning in other English classes at the Noble Park English Language School (NPELS).
NPELS provides an intensive English language course for newly arrived migrants, refugees and international students from non-English speaking backgrounds.
Previous student projects have included writing recipes; creating a Brochure Promoting an Australian Landscape; comparing sustainability practices; writing a character study from a novel; and the Foot in Two Countries project, comparing food, education, home life and culture in Australia to their home country.