School award a first for SA
Golden Grove Lutheran Primary is celebrating a top-class effort, after being the first school in South Australia to receive a School Aid National Accreditation Award. The award recognises the range of philanthropy and community service initiatives the school has been involved in.
School Captains Audrey and Jacob travelled to Sydney in February where they received the award on behalf of the school community at a ceremony hosted by Governor-General David Hurley and his wife Linda.
Principal William Wallace says that philanthropy is core to the vision and mission of the school.
‘As a school of the Lutheran Church of Australia, one of our core principles is to reach out to people hurt by poverty, injustice and crisis collectively, in our local community, our nation, and internationally, as an outworking of our faith.’
Social and global awareness and action are encouraged at the school, with practical opportunities like volunteering and fundraising being incorporated into each year level. These values are also embedded into the curriculum through Golden Grove Primary’s status as an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, encouraging students to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners.
Some of the initiatives students have been involved in include the ‘Backpacks for SA Kids’ campaign; support of Australian Lutheran World Service through a whole school Colour Run; fundraising activities to support a range of charities; visiting local retirement and nursing homes to support the residents; volunteering at local preschools and kindergartens; participating in local community clean-up activities, and more.
Golden Grove Primary has also been a long-standing supporter and partner of Asaroka school in Papua New Guinea, providing computers and other valuable resources. There are approximately 2000 students that attend Asaroka, which, partly due to the partnership, now offers education up to a Year 12 level.
The school also has strong ties with Golden Grove Lutheran Church, with students volunteering to be involved in the church’s weekly playgroup program that assists young families.
‘It is amazing that our school and church communities have such a big heart and are being recognised in this way,’ says William. ‘We are blessed to be able to partner with Golden Grove Lutheran Church to show that service of others and love for others is a way of life. It is also incredibly important for service learning to grow resilience and optimism in students, to enable them to flourish in their lives.’
Photo above: Golden Grove Primary School Captains Audrey and Jacob received the award on behalf of the school. Pic courtesy Golden Grove Lutheran Primary School.
