Description of Programme

The Wolmer’s Boys’ School Community Service programme was born out of the need for all
our students to engage the noble enterprise of volunteerism and the cause of giving back,
particularly to those who are disadvantaged and less fortunate. In the global community,
those who are named among the most noble, including Nelson Mandela, Gandhi or Mother
Theresa, are known for their care and concern for the less fortunate and their service to
humanity. The same greatness and empathy that we see in these personages dwell in each
young Wolmerian and it is our anticipation that his involvement in community service will
unleash this potential into a budding plant and, in the years to come, a fully-grown tree of
care.

Guidelines

All students from First Form to Upper Sixth Form will be involved in community service,
and will complete a minimum of 30 hours each year at approved external institutions,
including children’s homes, infirmaries, shelters, hospitals, hospices, churches, and other
service organizations in Kingston and St. Andrew and surrounding areas. Note: only 20
hours were required in the 2019/2020 school year, and during the COVID-19 closure
of schools a further modification was made; that is, students were required to make
a donation in kind to their designated year group charity. This is a voluntary
programme which helps students demonstrate responsibility, gives them work experience
and also gives them an opportunity to experience making a contribution to the community.
Many providers of scholarships ask students to report ‘community involvement.’
Scholarship selection committees often look at community service participation when
awarding scholarships. There are even some scholarships awarded solely on the basis of
participating in community service.

1. The following activities may NOT be counted as volunteer service:

 Assisting members of immediate family;

 Attendance at a school-sponsored conference/workshop;
 Attendance at club meetings, church, Cadets, etc. (HOWEVER, voluntary
work done as part of such a group/club/team can count as
community service);
 Participating in rehearsals or practicing for school musicals, debate, drama
or athletic programmes, activities, demonstrations, performances or
contests; or
 Services performed at school or in the community as a result of
disciplinary action.
2. Situations not covered by the previously listed guidelines will be jointly agreed upon
by the school administration and the community service coordinator(s).
3. Students who do not fulfil the Community Service requirements will NOT be allowed
to participate in any school-leaving ceremony at either the Fifth or Sixth Form level.
1.
4. Students should discuss their selection with their Form Teacher or the Community
Service Coordinator(s) before starting their service.
5. The prescribed Wolmer’s Boys’ School Community Service Form should be
completed and returned to the Community Service Coordinator(s) through the Form
Teacher for noting on the student’s record.

Coordination Structure

 The Community Service programme will operate under the supervision and
management of the designated Community Service Coordinator(s).

 Working very closely with Year Group Supervisors and Form Teachers, the
Community Service Coordinator(s) will provide the guidance, materials, advice and
follow up necessary for the successful operation of this programme.

 Form Teachers will be the first level of contact between students and the
Community Service Programme. Consequently, Form Teachers will be able to
provide advice to students on suitable community service options and also to
provide them with encouragement so that they are able to meet the required hours.
It will therefore be necessary for the Form Teacher to have an open line of
communication with the Community Service Coordinator(s).

 A Community Service Authorization Letter should be collected by each student from

the Vice Principal – Student Affairs’ Office for presentation to the institution or
organization at which the community service hours will be completed.

 All completed Community Service Forms must be returned by the last day of the
Easter Term of each school year to the Community Service Coordinator(s) through
the Form Teachers.

 The Community Service Hours completed by each student will be noted on his
progress report for the Summer Term.
 How Will Students Be Recognized

 At the end of each school year, students who meet the minimum of 30 hours will
receive a Certificate of Completion.
 Students with 50+ Community Service Hours at the end of each year will be
recognized during the Annual Prize-Giving Ceremony in November.
 Fifth Form students with 250+ Community Service Hours over five years will be
recognized in the Annual Valedictory Service in June.
 Upper Sixth Form students with 100+ Community Service Hours at the end of two
years will be recognized in the Annual School-Leaving Ceremony in June.
 Note: for as long as the modified approach to community service prevails, the
required hours will not be required, only the one-off donation to the designated
year-group charity.
 Community Service Tracking Form

Student Form/Class

Organization Address of Organization

TIME TIME TOTAL STUDENT’S SUPERVISOR’S

DATE
IN OUT HOURS SIGNATURE SIGNATURE

SUPERVISOR’S NAME & SIGNATURE

TOTAL HOURS COMPLETED

Continue overleaf

1.
 TIME TIME TOTAL STUDENT’S SUPERVISOR’S
DATE
IN OUT HOURS SIGNATURE SIGNATURE

SUPERVISOR’S NAME & SIGNATURE

TOTAL HOURS COMPLETED

COMMENTS:

STAMP

2.