Demonstrating service through action: why we're proud of the Northbridge Primary Action Squad

Demonstrating service through action: why we're proud of the Northbridge Primary Action Squad As all of us can attest, this has been a challenging year, full of inconsistency and change. Regardless of our age, we’ve needed to adapt and persevere. This has been no different for our students at Northbridge International School Cambodia.

As all of us can attest, this has been a challenging year, full of inconsistency and change. Regardless of our age, we’ve needed to adapt and persevere. This has been no different for our students at Northbridge International School Cambodia.

Going from online learning, back to school, then back online again, their worlds have been in a constant state of upheaval. It is in a climate like this that service is hugely important. 

At Northbridge, we work hard to make sure that we help our students to recognize the importance for them to stay in tune with the surroundings, and seek opportunities to show kindness towards others. Our Action Squad has provided them with the chance to show their leadership, while seeking to make a difference.

As we started our school year, our community was quickly hit by a damaging storm. Many members of our staff found their homes flooded, and their belongings destroyed. In response, our students decided they wanted to take action to help. 

So they decided to organize a collection drive to help our beloved community. Within days, we were overwhelmed with donations of rice, fish, bottled water, and more. We received such an outpouring of support, that we were even able to donate the excess to members of the local community in need.

Next, our Action Squad members decided to encourage their classmates to pay attention to their lifestyle choices, and take better care of their bodies. They decided that a great way to ensure high participation rates was to link it to a house competition and make it fun. 

Thus came the creation of our Movember Cup. Throughout the month, students across the campus were doing daily exercise routines, and making healthy snack choices. They even participating in exciting Friday snack competitions with Mr Brandon “Macho Man” Doles.

Another group of Action Squad students decided they wanted to bring happiness to students in our lower grades. They knew that through their efforts they could put smiles on the faces of their younger peers, and bring fun to playtime. This lead to the creation our Kindergarten Playground leaders, and EL Fun Zone. Our EL playground became filled with laughter and new relationships built.

Through our PYP studies, every student engages in a “Sharing the Planet” unit, during which they turn their attention to the impact our choices have on the environment. 

With that training in their minds, our “Eco-Warriors” Action Squad was born. The members of this committee sought to call attention to our plastic usage on campus. Through their efforts, plans have been drafted that will seek to make our campus plastic-free.

As you can see, there are many avenues that our students can choose in order to “Take Action” in their community. Our Action Squad members have again served as leaders both within our school community and beyond through their outstanding efforts.