About King's Community Service Programme
King’s College aims to give its pupils an all-round education and it is our responsibility to encourage students to look beyond their own personal goals, be able to relate to others and show a degree of concern for them.
Last year over 500 students at King’s College were engaged in our Community Service programme. Each week, students volunteer their own time to help those in the community who really need it. This year we are hoping to build the programme even further.
In 2010 the following Community Services are available to our students.
Middlemore Hospital Reception, Kidz First Children’s Hospital, IHC and Retirement Homes, Woman’s Refuge Centre, Refugee Centre, Otahuhu College Homework Programme, Reading in Schools in five local schools, Brain Injury Rehabilitation, and the Tree House Day-Care centre. As well as this the programme includes one-off voluntary events such as charity drives for Kidz First and Red Puppy appeal.
At King’s College, we believe that Christianity is expressed through service to others. It is our hope that our students learn that freely giving ourselves to the service of others is a lifelong and highly rewarding responsibility.
"Faith by itself, if it has no works, is DEAD!" James 2:17
Year 12 exchange with Otahuhu College
On Friday 30th May, the annual Year 12 exchange with Otahuhu College took place. I think it is fair to say that most of us were a little anxious, not knowing what to expect, how to act or how the day was going to unfold.
The day began with a service in the Chapel, which included an exchange of singing items. We then mixed up and split into two groups, one group going up to Otahuhu College and the other assembling in the Great Hall, where in smaller groups we played games as we got to know each other and very quickly barriers were broken down. In fact it wasn’t long before the Great Hall reverberated to the sounds of laughter, cheering and chanting. After a while we gave our guests a tour of the school before heading up to Otahuhu College as the group from there came down to the Great Hall and the programme was repeated.
At Otahuhu College we were shown around the school before splitting off into groups for the boys to learn one of the House hakas and the girls to learn the waiata. We were also treated to a performance by their Drama group depicting the struggles of life and the stereotypical appearance of the King’s girls, which was enjoyed by all.
After lunch was served at both schools, we once again assembled in the Chapel for a closing service. An exchange of hakas outside, farewells and then back into class for the afternoon, albeit in a rather unsettled and excited mood.
All in all, this exchange is certainly one memory I am going to take away from my time at King’s. General friendships made, nicknames given, and jokes made throughout the day meant that it was impossible not to have fun. What also came through was the mutual respect each school has for each other. It was such a worthwhile and fun day, with almost everyone leaving with a smile and a story. It showed that, in the end, we are all teenagers and we are all really just like each other, no matter our background. After all, the only thing that separates us is a small mesh fence.
Sam O’Connell
Will Pihllips
Kristina White
Community Service at Wymondley Road School
