Community and Service at Codrington

Community and Service is at the heart of the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme. All students are expected to take part in it through a variety of community projects either within a school project or independently outside of the school.

All our students are involved in a Community and Service programme.

• In MYP 1, MYP 2 and MYP 3, students are part of the Service and Action programme.
• In MYP 4 and 5, students are part of the CAS Junior programme.
• In DP 1 and DP 2, students are part of the CAS programme.

Service to the community involves interaction, such as the building of links with individuals or groups. The community can be the school, the local district, or it may be at an national or international level. The Codrington School is committed to giving students the opportunity to “get out of their comfort zone” and become seriously involved in serving the less fortunate in Barbados and globally.

Community and Service aims to help students develop their personal understanding, emerging sense of self and developmentally appropriate responsibility in their community.

Meaningful service requires understanding of an underlying issue such as poverty, literacy or pollution, and authenticating the need for this service. Service activities should be appropriately adapted to local circumstances, and they should take into account students’ development, aptitudes and preferences. If students are planning a service experience with a global emphasis, it is highly recommended that they consider ways to include and integrate local action.

Service activities do not only involve doing things for others, but also doing things with others and developing a real commitment to them. The relationship should show respect for the dignity and self-respect of others. There should be prior communication and full consultation with the community or the individual concerned. The service provided should be appropriate and you should be able to understand the consequences of what you are doing. A service activity must provide you with the opportunity to learn. It must be voluntary and unpaid.

Some of the Community and Service activities students of The Codrington School are currently involved in:

• Helping out in animal rescue centers such as The Ark and the RSPCA.
• Taking part in The Interact Club (the junior arm of The Rotary Club).
• Volunteering at The Gentle Folks nursing home.
• Raising money for different organisations such as UNICEF, Water Aid and The Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
• Raising money for The Living Waters Community who provide food to the most needy in Barbados.
• Promoting and raising money for Water Aid.
• The Barbados Sea Turtle Project.
• Setting up and manning our very own Recycling Centre.