11 Aug 2017
West Wyalong High School has developed many relationships within the West Wyalong community, and continues to do so with it's volunteering program.
For a number of years, West Wyalong High School students have attended Waratah Village to assist with nail care. This has further developed with students also now playing board games, playing the Wii and further interacting with the people who live at the Village. This has enabled more students to volunteer and become involved in this wonderful opportunity. This program offers a number of benefits for both the students and the residents.
At the end of 2016, West Wyalong High School held "Try Something New Week". Teachers chose activities to deliver to the students, exposing them to a variety of activities they had never experienced before. One of these activities was the "Community Radio". Students were taken to the recording studio and shown how the radio works. The lack of volunteers for the Community Radio was touched on and teacher Maree Hetherington realised that the volunteering program could be expanded.
Just the same as the Waratah Village participants, students nominate to be involved, and a number are currently undertaking the induction training at the Community Radio. Once these students have completed their training, there will be a "West Wyalong High School" segment of radio time. There are a number of ideas for this segment including interviewing people, playing requests and reading out the newsletter to keep the West Wyalong and Wyalong community informed of what is happening at West Wyalong High School.
Students also volunteer at Bland Shire Library during StoryTime. StoryTime is aimed at Pre-School aged children to encourage a love of reading. The children listen to stories, make craft activities and have a healthy snack. Year 10 and 11 students from West Wyalong High School attend StoryTime to assist Librarian Cathy Lange in this wonderful program. There are so many students involved in this, that a roster has been set up to ensure they can all participate.
Riding for the Disabled Co-ordinator, Sarah Gillet contacted West Wyalong High School and asked if there were any students wishing to become volunteers at the centre. There are twenty five students who have accepted this opportunity and are being inducted as trainees. The West Wyalong High School students assist with horse handling and care.
While these volunteer programs are set up during school time, many of the students have continued their volunteer work into their own time. The relationships that have been developed and the deeper understanding and empathy that has been learnt from the volunteering program are invaluable.
The latest addition to the volunteering program is students being involved in the Mine Rescue Challenge hosted by Evolution. Little Athletics have also approached West Wyalong High School about volunteers to assist with setting up their activities. While relationships continue with Wyalong and West Wyalong Primary Schools as well as the West Wyalong Show Society when volunteers are required.