The planning for our community service project began in Term 2 and continued through Term 3. With the guidance of our teacher, teacher aides, parents and peer mentors, we all worked as a team to organise a successful bake sale and sausage sizzle fundraiser. These efforts helped us raise over $500, which allowed us to visit the rest home and purchase thoughtful gifts for the residents, including board games, arts and crafts kits, and puzzles.

Our class, 9KA, had the opportunity to visit Te Atatū Peninsula’s St. Margaret’s Rest Home in two sessions: 

Thursday 28th November and Monday 2nd December.

During our time at the rest home, we engaged in various activities, such as playing board games, card games, dominoes and other interactive games with the residents. Seeing their faces light up as we laughed, chatted, and enjoyed each other’s company was heartwarming. Many of the residents shared that our visit made their day, and they cherished the moments of connection and fun we brought to their routine.

As students, we demonstrated our school values of Respect, Integrity, Responsibility, and Excellence throughout this experience. Respect was shown in how we engaged with the residents, listening to their stories with genuine interest and treating them with kindness and patience. Integrity was reflected in our dedication to making the visits meaningful, from fundraising to actively participating in activities. We took responsibility for ensuring the event ran smoothly, whether it was sorting out permission slips, or assisting with bake sale items. Lastly, we strived for excellence by going above and beyond to create an environment where everyone, students and residents alike, felt valued and included.

These visits would not have been possible without the efforts of Mrs. Kalolo and AJ Muliaga, who helped organize every detail and ensured everything went smoothly. This experience taught us not only the importance of giving back to our community but also how small acts of kindness can have a lasting impact. It was a privilege to bring joy to the residents and uphold our school’s values in such a meaningful way.

Carter Rameka: 9KA