This year we began offering students the option to log their service programme hours through the SVA (Student Volunteer Army) app as part of our participation in the SVA Service Award.  There’s a great synergy between our motto, “Mercy women see the need and respond with compassion”, and the SVA model of “empowering youth through volunteering”.

Carmel students have already logged over 7500 hours of service, earning Bronze, Silver and Gold awards as they contribute their time and energy to a myriad of good causes.  School programme ambassadors gain access to special training on leadership and crisis response.  Participants may be called on to mobilise in a crisis, becoming part of the community of resilience that we all remember and honour from its foundation following the 2010 Christchurch earthquake.

This week we are delighted to acknowledge Maia O’Callaghan, who has earned her Student Volunteer Army GOLD award – that’s 350+ hours of service logged.