In Week 10 of Term 3, all Year 9s participated in the Community Project Intensive Week. The Community Project is the culminating activity for students in the Middle Years Programme (MYP) and focuses on service-learning through action. The Intensive Week provided students with a range of activities to help them begin their planning for their action that will be completed throughout Term 4 during Christian Studies lessons.

Service is a core value in Lutheran education, reflecting the belief that faith is lived out through loving action. At Concordia, students are encouraged to serve others as a way of expressing compassion, humility and responsibility; values rooted in the teachings of Jesus. Galatians 5:13 says, “Serve one another humbly in love". Through service, students not only grow in character but also contribute meaningfully to their communities.

The first day involved students exploring and understanding the different types of service-learning and brainstorming different ways they can support their communities. On Tuesday and Wednesday, students spent two days exploring the Adelaide CBD and experiencing a range of different actions that serve the community. The students were lucky enough to have volunteers from Green Adelaide lead them through a range of volunteering activities that are undertaken at Victoria Park/Pakapakanthi wetlands and Miyawaki (tiny forest) planting; they also heard from The Adelaide Fringe Festival about accessibility and inclusion; Pastor Fraser Pearce from Bethlehem Lutheran Church spoke about the role of church communities, and students completed a range of other activities, such as the Kaurna Trail and Rundle Mall audit of service action, which were designed to allow students to build their independence.

The students will complete their action throughout Term 4, with an opportunity to exhibit their learning later this term for parents and friends to see.

Emily Borowicki
Middle School Learning Leader