Community Service

The boys of The Sterling Hall School are truly citizens of the world. Our work involves teaching them to become aware of what is happening in their immediate communities and in the global community. Activities both inside and beyond the classroom foster the value of good citizenship.

Community projects

Starting within the community, we teach the boys to look outside of themselves, to find ways to give of themselves in order to help others.

At the beginning of the school year, each grade decides on an appropriate initiative to adopt for the coming year, with the help of a Faculty Advisor. In the following months, the boys undertake every aspect of the initiative themselves, from research to advertising to fundraising to follow-up, working together as a team. The chosen activity is integrated into the class curriculum by the boys’ teachers. Previous initiatives have included a warm clothing drive for new Canadians at a nearby school, toy drives for the Hospital for Sick Children and Beatrice House (a women’s shelter), raising awareness and money for “Right to Play”, and writing letters to Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan.

Agents of Change

In addition, our Agents of Change — the Prefect and Captains of Citizenship — play an integral part in the school community service and character education. They oversee two or three school-wide projects, lending a hand wherever it’s needed, and instilling a sense of excitement and “cool” factor to keep the momentum building.

Because Community Service is part of the educational fabric, our boys learn to identify need and figure out a way to help, without waiting to be asked. This is an important life skill and character building exercise that equips them not only for high school community service, but for their adult roles as good citizens. We regard it as an important part of our role in helping to develop the heart and spirit of each boy.

Recent Projects

During April we have a new initiative starting, brought to us by Grade 7 student Cole Swadron. While working with the Ve'ahavta's Mobile Jewish Response to the homeless and speaking to the people who use the Ve'ahavta's facilities, Cole noticed that the one thing that they desperately needed was Knapsacks - to be able to put their belongings into and carry with them. He chose Ve'ahavta because it is a Jewish charity that is charitable to everyone without pushing an agenda or religion. Cole approached the Agents of Change who have promised to help Cole with his desire to help. During the week of April 12 - 16, there will be a used Knapsack Drive. Please drop your donations into the Citizenship bins outside the McCain Dining Hall.

This year Sterling Hall will be running a second Food Drive. The Agents really enjoyed their time sorting and packing the food and they asked to be able to do it again – and bring some more students with them! During the week of May 10 the Agents of Change will be collecting non-perishable food outside the Dining Hall. The goal is to beat our record of over 900 pounds of food. They will be delivering the food on May 13. The North York Harvest Food Bank is just around the corner and it services a very large area of the community around us. They are always thrilled when the Sterling Hall boys pull up with their donations. As the expression says – charity begins at home – or for us – in our own backyard.