A group of teenage boys willingly folding clothes is not a sight you see everyday.
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But one group of Goulburn High School students are breaking the mold according to teacher Kara Stephenson, who has introduced volunteering as part of the year 10 leadership class curriculum.
Every fortnight Goulburn High School leadership students spend close to two hours volunteering at a local charity.
For Ms Stephenson, it was a way to facilitate the engagement of young people in the community.
“I was overwhelmed at how excited they were to do it. The students initiated everything themselves and contacted the stores,” she said.
“For me it’s about creating an awareness – something small and simple can make a big impact. As a school we wanted to find a way to make the class more valuable and provide them with more life skills.”
Despite completing two sessions so far, the teacher said the students are already changing their perspective on charity organisations.
Students will rotate between Salvation Army, Red Cross, Angels for the Forgotten, St Vincent de Paul and Mission Australia over the year.
“It is also about reducing stigma around youth,” she said, referencing one group of teenage boys who have been the most receptive to the program.
“They are what people would stereotypically assume a teenager is like. No one would expect that they would be willingly and happily volunteering their time for their community.
“What I love about things like this is a lot of these boys here really step up in the community. I’m hoping this is successful and I hope to see this continue for many years to come.”
The group of year ten boys, who chose Mission Australia as their first charity were cleaning bins, folding clothes and assisting with general operations.
“It's to help out the community,” 14-year-old student Jordan O’Neill said matter-of-factly.
“In anyway we can,” chimed 15-year-old Lachlan Devlin.
- Charities interested in partnering up with Goulburn High School can call 4821 4022.