Serving beyond Southridge’s gates is a cornerstone of our culture, allowing students to make real impacts in the community. Our service-learning program helps students discover their talents, learn about themselves, build communication and collaboration skills, take risks, and develop compassion for others.
A CULTURE OF SERVICE
One place where these values come to life is our Senior School Service Club. Led by two dedicated Service Stewards, the club gathers weekly to brainstorm student-led initiatives and dive into important topics with local and global relevance. Open to all students in Grades 8-12, this club offers a space for collaboration, creativity, and action. Over the years, initiatives like sandwich-making for the Surrey Urban Mission, crafting greeting cards for residents at The Residence at Morgan Heights, assembling essential kits for Project Backpack, and fulfilling wish lists for clients of Options Community Services have been brought to life in the Senior School Service Club.
Recently, in September 2023, Southridge took on a new challenge by joining the City of Surrey’s Adopt-A-Street program, promising to keep a local area near the school clean and litter-free. To express our dedication, students completed a three-month trial before being formally accepted to the program. Now, our Grade 8-12 advisory groups take turns cleaning up this adopted area, showing that small efforts can add up to big changes in our community.
BUILDING COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
For our Grade 10 students, October is more than just the month of falling leaves - it’s a time to roll up their sleeves and actively make a difference in the world. During their Leadership Experience Week (LEW), they dedicate time to various local non-profits, from working with UNITI (Semiahmoo House Society) to supporting the Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, and assisting at Pacific Riding for Developing Abilities.
"Students are involved in projects that make a significant impact for these organizations, often completing work that regular volunteers simply don’t have time to do,” shares Jenna Parker, Senior School Music Teacher and Upper Division Coordinator. “It’s heartwarming to receive such positive feedback from the organizations and empowering to watch our students build community connections that make a difference."
WHOLE-SCHOOL EFFORTS THAT MATTER
Service at Southridge is also about coming together as a K-12 community. Each year, three big events highlight our collective spirit. In September, our annual Terry Fox Run unites students, families, and staff to support cancer research while celebrating Terry’s enduring legacy. Then, in February, the Junior School jumps into Jump Rope for Heart while the Senior School takes on Hoops for Heart, raising funds for the Heart and Stroke Foundation while promoting fitness and fun.
April brings our biggest event of the year: Relay for Life. This student-led charity event is more than just a fundraiser – it’s a day filled with camaraderie, leadership, and hope. Students plan and organize the entire event, bringing the community together for a cause that touches so many lives, all while raising significant funds for cancer research.
A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE THROUGH ROUND SQUARE
This year, we’ve taken our service efforts in the Senior School even further by joining Round Square, an international network of over 250 schools in 50+ countries. This partnership opens new doors for our Grade 8-12 students, with opportunities for global student exchanges, service trips, and collaborative projects. It’s a perfect match for our newly refreshed Senior School Education Program (SSEP), emphasizing community and global connections.
"Joining Round Square allows us to offer broader enrichment in areas like student leadership and global projects,” says Laura Holland, Senior School Principal. “It’s about lifting each other up, helping one another soar, and truly making a difference in the world."
SERVICE: A JOURNEY OF SACRIFICE AND REWARD
At Southridge, the true value of service is about more than just giving—it’s about what you gain in return: new perspectives, meaningful connections, and a deeper sense of purpose that extends far beyond the classroom. This understanding of the sacrifices and rewards of community service is woven into the fabric of who we are. By making community service a priority, we aren’t just shaping students; we’re cultivating compassionate, forward-thinking leaders who recognize the profound impact of giving back.
Contributed by Parveen Loodu, Communications & Marketing
Adapted from Spirit Magazine - Fall 2024