The Community Service Programme was initiated to help overcome the disparity in educational standards. In doing so, the benefit will not only accrue to disadvantaged schools, but also to our pupils who engage in this process. This forms part of our commitment in the mission statement to prepare pupils for an ever-changing world in our complex society.

The staff member responsible for the delivery of this strategy is Bridget Gibson. She works very closely with the staff of the Uplands Outreach Programme. She is the Subject Head of Life Orientation. Community Service is a vital component of the Life Orientation Programme. All Grade 10 students are required to complete 10 hours of Community Service during their Grade 10 year in order to achieve a Certificate in Community Service. This qualifies them for one of the four external certificates they have to acquire by the end of Grade 12 for Life Orientation.

However all students are encouraged to participate in as much Community Service as possibility during their time at Uplands College.

Uplands provides as many opportunities as possible for the students to get these hours through school structures. They can also do any other Community Service off-campus.

Groups of students visit Millennium Home of Hope, an orphanage in White River. Here the students help with general cleaning duties, play with the babies, bath and feed the babies and any other useful activities needed by the home.

Weekly visits are also made to the SPCA in White River where students help with general duties – bathing, de-fleaing, de-worming, brushing, and playing with the animals, gardening, cleaning kennels and general maintenance duties.

Every year selected students participate in the annual Camp Quality programme – a week of fun and entertainment for children with terminal illnesses.

SMILE is a literacy programme for English second language speakers. Uplands students run this programme for Grade 4 pupils from our partner schools participating in the Outreach Programme. This happens on the Uplands campus and is also implemented at Inkhanyeti primary school.

The Interact Club is Rotary International’s Service Club for young people aged 14 – 18. The Interact Club at Uplands College operates as part of the Community Service Programme. A representative from the Rotary Club of White River offers advice and guidance, but the Club itself is self-governing and self-supporting. In addition to the rewards gained from helping others and improving their own and neighbouring communities through service, Interactors have the opportunity to make new friends and broaden their horizons and to develop leadership and teamwork skills.

Interact have adopted Inkhanyethi Primary School and visit it every week. Students help run the afternoon sports programme, entertain the pre-school, teach the Enviro Club, help upgrade English skills, play chess and run the SMILE project.

Various other Community Service activities occur from time to time e.g. helping Hospice, church groups, flea markets etc.
The Uplands Outreach Programme operates from the Uplands Campus. The main objective is to narrow the gap in educational standards between the Uplands schools and our rural partner schools by offering professional upliftment, qualifications, the expertise of Uplands staff and the use of Uplands facilities. Projects include: