Over the past two weeks we have been reminded constantly of the value of community.

Participation in community service is one of the expectations we have for all students enrolling at Otago Girls’ High School. There are numerous reasons for this but among the most important are the following: that when we contribute to our community we feel a greater sense of belonging and our community is strengthened; and that giving to others is an important ingredient in promoting wellbeing.

In recent weeks our students have been involved in a number of actions that serve our community. These have involved the donation of both time and money by staff and students, with one of the most pleasing aspects of this service being that several of these actions have been instigated by the students themselves.

The mufti day to support members of the Dunedin and Christchurch Muslim Communities raised over $2000, an outstanding effort that was thanks to the organisation of Tiare Makanesi in Year 12. Last Friday Head Girl Rose Stevenson organised a mufti day to raise funds for Orokonui Ecosanctuary and in the process we were able to donate $710 to go towards the programmes that operate there. Last weekend Elsa Neuman, our Community Service Prefect, organised a number of her fellow Prefects to participate in the Relay for Life, a twelve hour event aimed at raising funds for Cancer Research. Not only did the girls raise awareness about the importance of this work, they also raised $1900 for the cause.

Contributions to our community are not just about giving money. As part of the Year 10 Disability Unit, one class volunteered at the Otago Secondary Schools’ Special Olympics event. This was a humbling and enjoyable experience for everyone involved and you can read more about it in the following articles. The value in such service is that those who volunteer gain just as much as those who benefit from the help.

Today is Gumboot Friday, an event organised by Mike King’s “I am Hope” mental health charity. This event aims to raise awareness about what it is like to deal with depression; a condition akin to “wading through mud in gumboots”. Given we have already had two recent mufti days we have simply invited staff and students to donate to the cause if they are able.

We are currently taking donations for Easter Baskets. This is an annual activity and involves staff and students donating Easter Eggs and small gifts which will be made up into gift baskets to be delivered to aged care homes in our community. The baskets are one of our House Competitions with students earning house points for each item donated so please encourage your daughter to bring along items to contribute. The baskets will be delivered to the rest homes by students on the final day of the school term. This is always a lovely experience for the girls concerned as the residents get such pleasure from the simple gifts given.

The final act of community service this term actually occurs in the second week of the holidays when members of our school community will present a wreath on our behalf at the ANZAC service which will be held at the Dunedin Cenotaph at 6.30am on Thursday April 25. This is a great way to remember those who lost their lives in defence of our country and to celebrate the freedoms we enjoy as a result.

Regardless of how big or small the gesture, serving others fills our own bucket as well as others. Everyone benefits.