Students in the Community

 

Award Winning Programme

The Mount Aspiring College Students In The Community programme is the one and only programme of its type in the country.

• This year 98 students participates in the programme
• Giving a total of 1,850 hours of invested time every year
• Our students visited over 35 different community groups and individuals

Since the programme began, an amazing total of over 33,000 hours of voluntary community time has been contributed by MAC students.

Because of these amazing facts the programme was the recipient of the 'Trust Power - Queenstown Lakes District Community Award 2008' for Education and Child Youth Development.

The Programme

Students in the Community was introduced in 1995 to enable all year 13 students to undertake a full year programme entailing two hours service to the community each week.

Students work with people who need help:

• The young - in schools, preschools, crèche, coaching sport, coaching music and with clubs and organisations that deal with youth
• The elderly - in their homes or at the local rest home
• The differently abled - in schools, in private homes and in conjunction with the Disabled Ski Otago programme.
• Others in need - conservation projects, libraries, community pool and with various non-profit groups
  
  

Students travel to Albert Town, Hawea, Hawea Flat, Tarras, and Luggate as well as within the Wanaka Township to carry out their service to the community. All assistance provided by the students is entirely voluntary. The programme is designed to establish a three way partnership between the school, the community and the students benefiting in the significant ways.

What the community gains:

• Contact with the school community
• Practical help and support
• Individual friendships

What the students gain:

• Wider range of experiences
• Marketable skills
• Enhanced personal skills
• Increased knowledge of self
• Certificate and experience for their curriculum vitae

What the school gains:

• Students who are better prepared for the future
• A more "holistic" approach to education
• Improved relations between the community and the school