An introduction to Service Days

At Rouse Hill Anglican College, our Welfare Program, and indeed all that occurs in Senior School, is from the understanding that we are all made in the image of God.  It is our desire as educators to see each individual student explore their God given potential and develop as a whole person.  It is also our great desire to develop our student body in a corporate sense, building strong relationships with the student body, as well as helping our students to recognise the needs of others within the College and wider community, and more importantly, responding to and serving those needs.

It is our yearning to see a practical out-working of our College Core values, beyond the school gate.  In the book of Micah, the Bible clearly reminds us of our responsibility to care for others. "The Lord God has told us what is right and what he demands: See that justice is done, let mercy be your first concern, and humbly obey your God." (Micah 6:8)  Moreover, the words of James calls us to act upon our faith by serving His people, reminding us that "Anyone who doesn't breathe is dead, and faith that doesn't do anything is just as dead!" (James 2:26)

Central to our program is considering what justice for all people looks like.  Who needs mercy?  How can we humbly obey the call of God?  How can we actively live out our faith? How can we demonstrate care, commitment, respect and responsibility?

These are big questions and ones we are keen for our students to explore.  To that end, the College continues to place value on a service learning program for Years Seven, Eight and Nine, which focuses on actively serving the needs of others.  In the last week of Term Four, students will be engaged in a three day Service Learning program, which aims firstly to educate the students about the broad range of need in our local and global communities and then provide them with an opportunity to respond with practical service.

We encourage students to think about their God given gifts and where and how they could use these to respond to the needs of others.  There is a vast number of Service Activities and a broad range of organisations with whom we will partner for this venture.  Students will be asked to nominate a number of activities which interest them.  They will be allocated to one activity for the Service Learning Program.