SPARC

7 October 2013Jeen S

“SPARC isn’t about what you gain, but what you can give back” – Garey G, Sparcy-in-training, Whittall ’15 Here at Brentwood, we have our very own bona fide student out-reach program, SPARC which stands for Student Peer Assistance Resource Counsellors, but we do much more than that. ‘Sparcys’, as our members are called, take part in activities ranging from Student-to-Student Health Talks, the Soup Kitchen for Khowhemum School, Community Connections, our Gay-Straight Alliance OMNI (Open Minded Non-Discriminatory Individuals) along with fund-raising for various local charitable causes. SPARC’s main objective is to train and prepare Peer Counsellors for situations they may face in the houses. Peer Counsellors learn useful skills like how to listen effectively and how to provide the right kind of guidance. This year’s intake of 107 students across the senior school is impressive in both number and diversity. They are training during their free arts blocks under the guidance of Mrs Felix. Training includes role-playing, discussions, games and simulations. The new Sparcys are often asked what they hope to take away from SPARC training, and the answer is almost always knowledge. The knowledge and ability to help others is invaluable as students are often initially more comfortable talking with peers than adults. It is helpful to have someone to talk to when going through difficult times and SPARC seeks to enable those who desire to help. The things they learn in SPARC can make a positive difference, and Sparcys all strive to do so. Among other things that SPARC does it help support local charities and causes including the Khowhemum Soup Kitchen. Every Friday, student and staff get together during their free arts block to make soup that is delivered to Khowhemum School to ensure that the children there get a nutritious meal throughout the week. In the last week of September, a group of Kindergarteners from Khowhemum School journeyed to our abode in Mill Bay to help us harvest our fruits, vegetables and other ingredients for our weekly soup making. Talk around campus suggests that it was THE most adorable event on campus all year. For those who missed out, events like this happen on a regular basis throughout the year. At SPARC, we care about both our Brentwood Family and our extended community. It’s an important way for students to get involved in the local community. Brentwood students have realised this and SPARC has grown from a couple of students to a group of over 150 Sparcys. Jeen S, Whittall ‘14

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