Amidst the serene landscapes of Bayside Christian College in Langwarrin South, something truly remarkable is unfolding. Beyond the classrooms and textbooks, students are engaging in hands-on learning experiences that are shaping them into compassionate, community-minded individuals. At the heart of this transformation is the Active Volunteering program, led by Ken Berry, a dedicated VET teacher who believes in the power of giving back.
Lyn Jarczewski (SRO) and Shilpa Smith (Head of Learning for Health & Community Services, including Active Volunteering) had the opportunity to visit the college, exploring its vibrant learning environment filled with miniature goats, sheep, rabbits, a thriving vegetable garden, and a poly tunnel (hot house). What they discovered was a program that not only teaches practical skills but also instils in students a sense of responsibility, resilience, and empathy.
The Beginning of Something Special
Reflecting on the program’s origins, Ken Berry shared how the Active Volunteering course was a natural fit for the college. Now in its second year, the program integrates 20 hours of volunteer work into the curriculum, aligning perfectly with the school’s mission to encourage students to look beyond themselves.
"I think the most important thing with teenagers now is to get them thinking outside of themselves and outside of social media and everything that goes with it. So, the Active Volunteering course allows us to go and do work with other organisations where the kids serve other people or build things for no benefit to themselves." Ken explained.
It’s not always an easy journey. Some students immediately embrace the concept, eagerly throwing themselves into acts of service, while others take time to recognise the value of giving without expecting anything in return. Ken, however, remains patient, knowing that each student’s growth unfolds at its own pace.
From Garden Beds to Community Impact
One of the standout initiatives within the program has been the partnership with Peninsula City Church and its Pantry Plus program. Pantry Plus provides food packages and ready-cooked meals to families in need. Before the pandemic, the program supported around 15 to 20 families, but in recent years, that number has skyrocketed to 120.
Recognising this increasing need, students at Bayside Christian College took action. Last year, as part of their volunteering efforts, they participated in cooking meals for the program. However, when that wasn’t possible this year, they pivoted to a new approach—building a vegetable garden to grow fresh produce that could later be used in Pantry Plus’s meal preparation.
"The idea was we built a vegetable garden so that we could grow crops and then use that as a part of the Pantry Plus cooking program," Ken shared. "And next year, we’re moving into students doing some cooking and preparation for community lunches for people who come in to have lunch."
But these lunches offer more than just food—they provide connection.
"It’s probably more about the company than the food because what we’ve discovered and what Pantry Plus has discovered is that loneliness is really a massive issue in our local communities," Ken explained. "So what they’re trying to invent are ways to get people together so that they can feel a part of some sort of community, and we have lunch as part of it—and they can leave with a food parcel as well."
To make this possible, Peninsula City Church had previously invested in a small commercial kitchen, ensuring it met all council regulations for large-scale meal preparation. With the help of just a few volunteers, students can prepare up to 120 pre-packaged meals in about an hour, with clear labelling for allergens and ingredients.
For the students, this experience is eye-opening. They’re not only developing practical skills in food preparation and agriculture but also gaining a deeper understanding of the realities of food insecurity and social isolation—issues that affect many families in their communities.
A New Perspective on Giving
One of the most powerful aspects of the Active Volunteering program is the personal impact it has on students. As part of their efforts, they organised a food drive in Term 3, collecting supplies to create Christmas hampers for families in need. What started as a simple initiative quickly became one of the most anticipated activities of the year.
For many students, the realisation that families living just streets away might be struggling to put food on the table was a revelation. It was a perspective shift that sparked deeper empathy and a newfound sense of responsibility.
"That's quite a big shock for a lot of our students, because that's very different from their own situation. So I'm trying to get them to understand that there are other families maybe living in the same street as them that are really struggling for all sorts of different reasons and they can do something to support other people."
A Hands-On Approach to Learning
Beyond the volunteering work, students are also engaged in agriculture studies, led by David Goschnick, a VET trainer and agriculture guru. Through hands-on experiences, students gain a deeper appreciation for where their food comes from.
"We encourage the students to eat a lot of the fruit while they’re here at school because it’s often things they may not have had before," Ken explained. "Just the concept of picking something straight from the plant and eating it is new to them."
Some of the produce is taken home by students, while future plans involve incorporating the harvest into the Pantry Plus meals and offering fresh produce within the school community. There’s even an exciting idea to host a market stall every few weeks, where students can decide whether to donate the produce or sell it to fund their own projects.
Looking to the Future
The success of the program has inspired even bigger ambitions for the coming years. One particularly exciting project is the creation of a simple, nutritious cookbook for families in need. A former Food Tech teacher is joining the initiative, guiding students as they develop easy-to-follow recipes using minimal ingredients.
As with any program, challenges arise—whether it’s broken machinery, changing partnerships, or unexpected hurdles. But through it all, students are learning an invaluable lesson: resilience.
"Lots of things just didn't go to plan. That is a really important thing for our young people to understand. Sometimes you have to push through and just change totally what you're going to do because things haven't gone to plan."
Even when students complain about the heat or the hard work, Ken knows these experiences will stay with them.
"This is going to help them, maybe years down the track. This is going to be really valuable for them at some stage in their life."
A Program Worth Celebrating
As the visit came to an end, Lyn and Shilpa were left in awe of the impact this program is making—not just on the students, but on the broader community.
The Active Volunteering program at Bayside Christian College is a life-changing experience that fosters compassion, resilience, and a commitment to making the world a better place.
With plans to revisit in a year’s time, one thing is certain: this is only the beginning. The seeds of generosity and community spirit have been planted, and with the dedication of teachers like Ken Berry and David Goschnick, they will continue to grow—just like the flourishing gardens that symbolise the heart of this incredible program.
Inspired by Bayside Christian College’s Active Volunteering program? Join the movement! Whether you're an educator, student, or community leader, find ways to integrate hands-on volunteering & start making an impact today!