PSG - Service Learning

Community service is emphasized with students at West Point Grey Academy. Students in the school recognize the importance of being aware of others less fortunate than themselves and participate in a wide variety of local charity initiatives, as well as far reaching international service. Students at West Point Grey Academy are expected to participate in community service through service hours, as well as leadership roles and through local/international outreach programs. More information on the WPGA Service programme can be found at wpga.ca/SSservice

Leadership Opportunities

At West Point Grey Academy, the development of student leadership takes place throughout the intermediate and senior grades. Grade 12 prefects are elected by both the student body and the teaching staff and play a vital role in representing the staff in various leadership roles. There are many opportunities for leadership growth in the lower grades through clubs, leadership camps, guest speakers as well as youth forums. The school believes that leadership exists within all students and every opportunity to allow this to flourish is considered.

Outreach Programs

There are a variety of opportunities for outreach at West Point Grey Academy. Student councils focusing on outreach and charity events are led by prefects and sponsored by staff. All students are invited to become part of the service initiatives at WPGA and share their time, talents and caring nature with others in need.

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Outreach Programs
- Covenant House Thank-a-thons
- Vancouver BC Children’s Hospital Events
- Children’s Organ Transplant Society Events
- Vancouver Ray Cam Community Centre
- UBC Botanical Garden - Apple Festival
- WISH Foundation
- The KidSafe Project
- Project Backpack for Directions Youth Services
- Vancouver Food Bank
- Crofton Manor Technology Outreach
- BC Mobilities Opportunities Society
- Books for Me
- African Library Book Drive
- Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau

Furthermore, our international outreach trips allow students the opportunity to teach children in less privileged areas of the world. Most recently, we have been working with Hogar de Gina in Peru. Students apply in October for the chance to be a part of this life changing experience which is held over spring break.

West Point Grey Academy is proud to offer students the opportunity to earn the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh Award, an international program that operates in more than 45 countries. The Duke of Edinburgh Award fosters self-discipline, enterprise and perseverance in all young people. The Award involves comprehensive individual development, self-training and personal achievement, and is based upon individual effort and improvement.

WPGA SERVICE RECOGNITION PROGRAM

WPGA recognizes the value of service and outreach. Service involves selfless actions within our school community and outreach goes beyond the school community. The goals of the Service Recognition Program include:

To recognize the actions of students in the school who volunteer their personal time for the betterment of others, the community and/or the environment
To build upon leadership strengths within participants of the program
To foster a culture of caring and thoughtfulness throughout the community
To strengthen the character of WPGA students through reinforcement of the principles of the school’s CARE program in the formative years
To provide a method of information gathering and collection for students to celebrate their achievements in service
To support volunteerism, and leadership
To involve WPGA youth in the culture of the school and further develop pride in its programs
To develop an authentic commitment to service

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Award Levels and Requirements

*Level*	*Requirements*	*Award*
Level I	30 hours of community service and responsibility	Service Pin Level I
Level II	30 hours of community service and responsibility	Service Pin Level II
Level III	30 hours of community service and responsibility	Service Pin Level III
Level IV	40 hours of community service and responsibility	Service Pin Level IV
Level V	50 hours of community service and responsibility	Service Pin Level V
Level V	Leadership role in a service action project.	Service Pin Level V
Level VI	50 hours of community service and responsibility	Service Pin Level VI
Level VI	Lead or co-lead a service action project	Service Pin Level VI
Level VII	50 hours of community service and responsibility	Service Pin Level VII
	Initiate and lead a community service action project
	Public Presentation outlining the service action project

In order to achieve Levels V, VI and VII, participants must play a leadership role in a service activity. For example, a student who organizes a letter writing campaign which involves initiating the project, formulating goals, carrying out details, and completing the action to meet its goals would be appropriate. Level VII, which is the pinnacle of the service program, also requires a public presentation given by the individual award achiever, which outlines the work done and the leadership requirements of the service project undertaken. In addition, participants will be asked to include areas of leadership growth throughout the program. This interactive presentation will be approximately 10 minutes in length and viewers will be given time for questions at the end. The audience will be made up of peers, school staff, adult supervisors, and/or parents. Students working towards their level VII Award must arrange with the Service Coordinator to ensure suitability of their project, and to develop a timeline for the student to prepare and deliver their presentations. WPGA Senior School is excited to have an on-line platform for recording and documenting service hours. Check out our website today wpga.ca/SSservice. Students and parents can contact our Service Coordinator, Josh Hatt, at any time by emailing jhatt@wpga.ca.

Character Education

While leadership and outreach play an important role at West Point Grey Academy, each student also participates in the school’s Character Education Program. Every student, from Primary to Grade 12, engages in scheduled activities and instruction around important concepts of character building. In the Junior School, each child is a part of the CARE Program, where the CARE faculty coordinator visits each class initiating activities designed to teach the importance of character traits such as caring, cooperation, trust, honesty and friendship. In the Senior School the Advisory explicit thematic curriculum across the grades addresses students’ developmental needs. Each theme addresses an essential question that frames student growth. The content presents important lessons on thriving during adolescence, guest presenters, time for play, and a focus on social-emotional learning (SEL) and academic growth. Social-emotional learning (SEL) is the process of developing the self-awareness, self-control, and interpersonal skills that are vital for school, work, and life success. Evidence based research has shown that people with strong social-emotional skills are better able to cope with everyday challenges and benefit academically and socially. Helping to provide a mountain of support for our students is the intent behind the program-providing skills and knowledge that will allow them to go forth with confidence.
Community Service
Community Service and Responsibility at WPGA are two of the fundamental principles of character development. All students in the school are required to participate in service or responsibility projects which demonstrate initiative and willingness to better their community. To recognize service, the WPGA Service Recognition Program includes 7 levels which can be started at any time by students in Grade 8 to 12. The principles behind each level are based on Cooperation, Community Building, Responsibility, Commitment, Leadership, and Initiative.

Examples of Community Service include:
- Participation in a service activity e.g. volunteering with a community organization, creating a greener school, peer tutoring
- Responding to a social issue e.g. projects about human rights and/or homelessness
- Promoting respect for diversity e.g. scripting and developing an anti-bullying drama presentation, researching a local, national or international issue where action is needed to respect diversity
Work done in these areas must be completed during personal time, i.e. outside of the academic timetable, in order for participants to demonstrate genuine interest in the actions involved. This includes before school, at lunch or recess, after school or on the weekends. Service work may also be undertaken during vacation times or statutory holidays.

Since 1996, West Point Grey Academy has gratefully resided on the Jericho Lands, the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Nation and sə̓lílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nation. Honoured to learn and play on these beautiful lands, we endeavour to be a leader in Indigenous education. In creating shared understanding and opportunities, we hope to help foster a more equitable society for all.