"Brother, sister let me serve you"

		Stained Glass Window 0f St. Columba, Chapel of Edinburgh Castle

As a Church School, 'service' to others is regarded as a core element of our life together as a school community. Within the school there already exist a number of awards given for acts of service. Through Chaplaincy and Religious Studies it is felt that service in the wider community and world beyond should be encouraged.

The rationale for this award, established for 2007, is to encourage 'service' into the wider community that will hopefully engage the girls in new learning opportunities for care, compassion, responsibilities, working with others and 'getting hands dirtied' in kindness. All of which will contribute to their discovering something of themselves and making a difference to others in their need. The words of the hymn below and the whole song itself perhaps help convey something of the intention of this award.

	The Servant Song Brother, sister let me serve you Let me be as Christ to you. Pray that I might have the grace To let you be my servant too. We are pilgrims on a journey We are friends along the road We are here to help each other Walk the mile and bear the load. I will hold the Christ-light for you In the night time of your fear. I will hold my hand out to you Speak the peace you long to hear.	I will weep when you are weeping When you laugh I'll laugh with you. I will share your joy and sorrow Till we've seen this journey through. When we sing to God in heaven We shall find such harmony. Born of all we've known together Of Christ's love, and agony. Brother, sister let me serve you Let me be as Christ to you. Pray that I might have the grace To let you be my servant too. Richard Gillard

This award will be granted on the basis of service beyond the school within the local community or some agreed wider project.

Years 7 -10 awarded on the basis of 20 hours or more over one year.
Years 11-13 awarded on the basis of 30 hours or more over one year.

Girls may undertake acts of service as individuals, but we also encourage girls to work in 2's or 3's or groups/teams , depending on the act of service. Each girl in the group has to do the required hours over one year.

Hours may not be carried over from one year to another with the following exception - if a genuine impediment arises, the hours to finish a step may be completed the following year.

For girls in Years 7 and 8 service to a member of their extended family may be considered.

Each year girls must undertake a different act of service. In certain circumstances (and due case made) an activity may be undertaken in an additional year, but will not be any longer than 2 years.

The awards will be made annually with an award of a Certificate and Badges as indicated below.

The basic service award (Certificate and Badge) will be differentiated for each step of service:-

Step 1 - Certificate level
Step 2 - Certificate and St. Columba Service bar

Step 3 - Certificate and Bronze Cross Badge
Step 4 - Certificate and Silver Cross Badge
Step 5 - Certificate and Gold Cross Badge
Step 6 - Certificate and Celtic Cross
Step 7 - St. Columba Dove Brooch

Girls may exceed the given hours and these will be recognised on the certificate as 'special service'. Should a girl in her years at school gather more than 4 awards then a special St. Columba Dove Brooch will be awarded on completion of the 5th award. Additionally, should a girl or group of girls undertake an exceptional form of service in their Years 11-13 as a major project then the Awards Group will have discretion to recognise this as worthy of Brooch recognition.

The Awards Group will consist of:-
The Principal, the Chaplain, the HOD Religious Studies and Teacher in Charge of Religious Studies (Intermediate).