Service Learning Reflection

The service-learning project done at Durban North Primary was painting the School Hall and assisting with all the requirements for Market day, I can honestly say that the effectiveness of the project was immensely positive and successful, the school hall was painted for the school concert, which was their first concert after covid.

The theme of the concert was Harry Potter and the hall was painted accordingly, we painted the walls and the signage that was placed outside of the school and the entrances of the school, it created a great vibe for the learners and their parents. The market day initiative was also a success, it had a lot more admin to do, as we (other student teachers who worked together) had to cut out vouchers, these vouchers were bought with money and the learners used vouchers spent at the market day, this entailed counting the voucher made and tying it up to the voucher bought and balancing it out with the vouchers spent, all-in-all I learned a lot out of this task and it was a success.

Service learning has taught me what working together with other teachers towards a common goal is about, it has taught me to put aside what I want to do and do what I need to do for the completion of a project. This is how it has changed me personally; it has shown me that teaching in a school is not just about being a teacher to that one class, but working together for the betterment of the entire school.

Service learning has developed me professionally, but not throwing in the towel, I had to paint the school hall and make figurines for the school and leave late on a Friday, and it has taught me to be professional and carry out the duties I had to perform and be responsible.

The benefit of painting the hall was great for the school and kids including their parents, the kids had a great stage for their concert which motivated them to really bring out their drama skills, and the school hall now looks great for the next year or until they change the theme again. The EMS market day assistance was also hugely beneficial to the school, the school raised just over R30 000 that day, and that’s R20 000 worth of vouchers that we cut out on our own (4th-year student teachers).