From Assistant Principal Learning Enrichment

Learning Through Volunteering

Volunteering is one of the great Australian characteristics. Generously giving time to aid and assist has become a real part of being ‘an Aussie’, whether through formal or informal passages. Internationally, the importance of volunteering has been recognized via the International Year of Volunteers, designated for 2001 by the United Nations General Assembly. The initiative aimed at increased recognition, facilitation, networking and promotion of volunteering, to highlight the achievements of the millions of volunteers worldwide who devote their time to serving others, and to encourage more people globally to engage in volunteering.

What can you learn from volunteering? Interpersonal communication, time management, leadership, delegation, communication, leadership and problem-solving are a few transferable skills that people can develop through volunteer work. At Lumen, volunteering is promoted as a way of learning through a variety of service activities. These are in areas such as RE Mission (Yr 10), PBL (Yr 9), SLR (Yr 11), the Friday morning BBQ Crew (K-12) among a whole host of other opportunities.

In the coming months we will also be launching opportunities for students to further develop their learning through volunteering through the participation in the Duke of Edinburgh Award program. The award consists of four sections:  service, physical recreation, skills and adventurous journey. At Gold level, participants also complete a residential project. Supportive networks, including adult award leaders, assessors, supervisors and mentors, assist in helping participants reach their goals and obtain their awards through the course of their involvement in the program. Stay tuned for more details!

Here are some of the great volunteering opportunities our students have been a part of recently: