Service Learning
Part of becoming a man of substance and resilience is learning how to care.
Newington’s Service Learning Program
Newington’s Service Learning program encourages students to consider their individual roles and responsibilities within the broader community. The program’s activities aim to enhance our boys’ awareness of the inequalities that exist within our local, national and international communities and to provide them with hands on opportunities to work alongside charity workers and community volunteers. It was was formally introduced in 2009.
Our Service Learning program aims to teach our boys how to care for others. The opportunities vary from volunteering at the Exodus Loaves and Fishes kitchen, to helping fundraise for CanTeen or the Fred Hollows Foundation. Each year, we let the boys lead in initiative and action as they join their House and school community to do something for others.
What we're all about
The Service Learning program is governed by five fundamental principles which include:
- Leadership and Service: Service is the base criteria for student leadership in the College community
- Community Service in action: A willingness to contribute positively and actively to society, rather than just fundraising
- Developing relationships over time: An emphasis on nurturing existing community relationships and building new long-lasting relationships
- Consistent with the founding traditions of the College: A strong link with the Uniting Church ethos and the College’s historical links
- Educational basis: Activities involve critical thinking skills and links to the classroom

Service throughout the Years
Junior School
At our Prep Schools, our younger boys are expected to understand and demonstrate reliability and collaboration, face the consequences of truth and honesty and show active concern for the people and the environment of the College. As boys grow in maturity they are presented with a more formal program for demonstrating service and leadership which includes: social and personal presentation workshops; leadership programs and voluntary community outreach and service.
Year 7 to Year 12
In Year 7, boys deliver kitchen garden vegetables grown at Newington to the nearby Loaves and Fishes Restaurant which caters to those that are homeless in our local community. Some service opportunities are mandated such as the Year 8 Charity Awareness program usually held in Term 4. In this activity the boys develop an awareness campaign of their House’s charity by creating presentations using various media including Drama, Music and Computer Graphics.
More than just Talk
In the Senior School, each House takes on an area of need in the community and designs action programs. In doing so, the boys are confronted with situations that dehumanise and oppress others and are encouraged to reflect. Their reflections are invariably positive, leaving boys with a greater sense of empathy and compassion for other people in their community.