Service is an important component of all levels of the IB Programme. Students grow in their understanding of their personal impact on the world around them throughout their Units of Inquiry in the Primary Years Programme, working up to Service in Action in the Middle Years Programme and the Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) course in the Diploma Programme. It is a cornerstone of both the programmes and our school community.
A great example of how these service opportunities provide students with practical skills and the power of personal impact is the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) that students in Grade 9 and 10 participated in last year. YPI gives students hands-on experience working with non-profits to, in the initiative’s words, “strengthen support for local social issues by empowering young people to determine where grant dollars would be best put to use in their communities.”
With the support of Annual Giving, SJS was able to sponsor both our Grade 9 and 10 students participation in this program last year. This invaluable experience often extends well beyond the YPI challenge by providing practical skills and enabling students to see the direct impact they can have on the greater world.
Genuine Connection Leads to Real Impact
Students are at the helm of service projects at SJS. In the case of YPI last year students chose their own charities, with the support of the SJS Service Coordinator. The students then arrange interviews or meetings with their chosen organizations to learn about their programming and the challenges they face to gain deeper understanding.
Following the practical experience and research into their charity, the teams of students created a funding pitch to present to a panel of community judges. The winning team received $5,000 for their charity, supported through Annual Giving.
The YPI project last year was a great example of how students can utilize their creativity and communication skills, and other Approaches to Learning (ATL) that they’ve been developing through the IB Programme. Whether it’s through a pitch competition or hands-on volunteering, having a personal connection to the project inspires students to commit authentically to the service and support causes they are passionate about.
What Service Means to Students
The students who participate in service gain long-lasting memories and skills. As Purab Cheema, one of last year’s YPI winners, looks back fondly on the experience. “As a student it was really impactful to see the positive change we were able to make within our own community.”
Projects like YPI also demonstrate the practical skills students can learn through acts of service. “It was a great way to improve my leadership skills and public speaking because we had to consider the audience, the charity, the judges, all that while designing our presentation. So it required creativity and collaboration too,” explains Purab. “It was a great opportunity to see what we were capable of, and with real stakes involved too.”
Students are provided these empowering opportunities thanks to the generous support of our community through Annual giving. Your contributions enable initiatives that enhance the experiences that students will carry with them throughout and beyond SJS. Help create future opportunities by visiting sjs.ca/support/annual-giving.
