— Susan Sarandon
Community Service ‘Happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.’
Albert Schweitzer
Service Learning
Community service invites boys to think beyond themselves and their desires; helping expand their world view.
We aim to instil in each and every boy that he has a responsibility to care for others beyond himself and to look for meaningful ways to contribute to the wider community.
There are opportunities from Prep to Year 12 to be involved with serving others.
“When you start to develop your powers of empathy and imagination, the whole world opens up to you.”
Programs
Our service program aligns with the BGS core values of respect, accountability, integrity and passion. Students are exposed to important issues both locally and internationally through education and experiences.
There are opportunities from Prep to Year 12 to be involved with serving others.
Events such as Ute Full of Food, World’s Greatest Shave, Go Grey In May, Connor’s Run, the Smith Family Student2Student reading program and Clean Up Australia Day are just some of these opportunities that allow students to witness firsthand the importance of helping those less fortunate and in turn lead to building relationships along the way.
Martyr’s school/Sony Frankston Camp, Baraka School, Relay for life, Winter Appeal, Eat up, (House Service Activities).
Ute Full of Food
Brighton Grammar School has a long lasting relationship with St Mark’s Community Centre in Fitzroy. Each term, students from ELC – Year 12 donate non-perishable food and toiletry items.
St Mark’s run a food program to many of Melbourne’s homeless offering them hot meals. An important aspect of this program which is run towards the end of each term is a group of staff and students from years 6-12 upon delivery the items, also sort, pack and organise the pantries of St Mark’s kitchen.
Whilst there, students are educated on why there is a need for the food program and how, with the help of BGS, St Mark’s Community Centre are able to support Melbourne’s homeless.
Go Grey In May & Connors Run
May is Brain Cancer awareness month. Throughout May at BGS, we run activities such as an RCD Mothers Day stall, House v House Erg Challenge in honour of Connor Dawes. There’s a Big Lunch with Liz Dawes as guest speaker as well as many other fundraising and community activities.
Prior to his diagnosis, Connor ran from his home in Sandringham to the BGS boatshed on the Yarra. The annual Connor’s Run event is in his honour with all proceeds going to help eradicate brain cancer. Held in September, Connor’s Run is a staple part of the school community, while being a part of the Year 9 curriculum, with students either running or supporting the event.
Duke of Edinburgh
Since the inception of the program in 1956, the Duke of Edinburgh Award has changed the lives of hundreds of thousands of young Australians, and millions around the globe, Brighton Grammar boys included.
Aimed at both able-bodied and disabled young people, the award has become one of the best known self-development and adventure programs for 14 to 24-year-olds around the world. Especially in Commonwealth countries.
The opportunity to get involved begins from Year 9, challenging participants through Service, Skills, Physical Recreation and Adventurous Journeys at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels.