Students give back to community 145 times over

Three Hawke's Bay schools helped their community during an annual student-led event yesterday.

Year 13 students from Woodford House, Iona College and Lindisfarne College helped schools, community groups and other facilities during the Servant Leadership Day.

Iona College deputy principal of wellbeing and engagement, David Trousdell, said the event, which was created by Lindisfarne College about six years ago, was a good way senior students to help out.

"It's a great leadership opportunity for them."

In past years many students would continue with some of the work started during Servant Leadership Day after being inspired, he said.

Woodford House deputy principal of student wellbeing, Stephanie Russell, said the student-led and student-organised day was a valuable part of school life.

"It was a magical day, a wonderful day to be part of."

Prefects from each school organised 145 Year 13 students in groups of 29 to help out at different places around the district for the entire school day.

Service activities included helping at the Flaxmere Community Garden and Marae, Hohepa Hawke's Bay, Red Cross, running sports and learning programmes at several schools such as Kimi Ora Primary School, the Maraenui Bilingual School and Mayfair Primary, and planting trees at Cape Sanctuary.