rvice,” a role dedicated to formalising and structuring Service as a core component of the School’s values and activities. While Service has always been embedded in the formation of our pupils, this development enabled the creation of a cohesive, School-wide project that underscores our responsibility to the Community.

Service has been at the heart of our educational mission since 1928, when Mr John A S Jackson envisioned an institution committed to fostering humility and dedication to society. His profound belief in the transformative power of education led to the establishment of a system that encourages pupils’ to serve selflessly and create positive change in the lives of individuals and institutions. This vision has since become one of the four foundational pillars of The Grange School: Sport, Academic, Arts and Service.

While Service has long been part of our pupils’ formation, this year marks a significant milestone with the implementation of a structured, School-wide project. This initiative reflects our belief that education carries a profound responsibility—not merely to equip pupils’ with knowledge, but to inspire them to respond meaningfully to the world around them. At The Grange School, we embrace the philosophy that we have a “duty to do good.”

The importance of Service as a cornerstone of personal growth is celebrated through various initiatives and activities that demonstrate the Pillar’s core values. These projects not only strengthen the School’s community but also extend their impact to the broader society, fostering a culture of empathy, responsibility, and action.

To highlight this year’s achievements, we have created a video showcasing the Service projects undertaken by our pupils. These efforts, ranging from supporting local charities to environmental initiatives and outreach programmes, exemplify the true Spirit of Service. They remind us of the critical role this Pillar plays in shaping thoughtful, compassionate, and responsible individuals who are equipped to make a meaningful difference in our Community and the world.

We invite you to take a moment to watch the video and celebrate the incredible accomplishments of our pupils’ and Staff this year:

What does Service mean at The Grange School?

At The Grange School, the Spirit of Service transcends mere acts of kindness; it is a profound commitment to fostering solidarity, empathy, and a selfless dedication to the Common Good. This ethos shapes every aspect of our educational philosophy, encouraging pupils to develop a deep awareness of their responsibilities to the local, national, and global communities.

The Spirit of Service is rooted in humility and a genuine desire to make a meaningful impact. It inspires our pupils to care about other, empathise with others, show solidarity in all their actions, work collaboratively with their peers, and take proactive steps in caring for the environment. By engaging in these actions, they learn that service is not simply a task but a way of life—one that uplifts others while enriching their own character.

The Grange Profile serves as a guiding framework, embedding these ideals into the fabric of daily School life. It ensures that our pupils do not merely understand the principles of Service but live them authentically, growing into individuals who exemplify the spirit of giving and care.

At The Grange School, Service is not only a pillar of education but also a pathway to shaping thoughtful, socially conscious individuals who will contribute positively to society: building bridges, fostering hope, and creating a brighter future for all.

Formalising Service as a whole School project

Under the leadership of Miss Irene Villarroel, the formalisation of Service as a whole School project at The Grange School marks a pivotal step in reinforcing its role as a cornerstone of our educational mission. This inaugural year has been dedicated to establishing a clear and cohesive framework to organise activities effectively, ensuring the Spirit of Service permeates every aspect of School life.

Key components of the Service include:

• Communications Team: This team plays a vital role in sharing the achievements and ongoing initiatives of the Department. Through platforms like the Weekly Bulletin, they ensure the School remains informed by the impact of Service. Also, the visibility in Assemblies has a motivational role in engaging our pupils in the Spirit of Service vision.
• Service Leaders: This concept started this year in a way where pupils take the responsability of organising and being in charge of Service activities. Pupils from 7° Básico to 4° EM embodies the leadership and initiative that define Service at The Grange. These young leaders spearhead projects, setting an example of proactive engagement.
• Staff Leaders: Staff members serve as guides and mentors, providing invaluable support and direction to Service projects. Their involvement underscores the collaborative nature of Service, fostering unity between staff and pupils to make every step organised.
• APA Service Team: Parent representatives contribute their time and resources, for organasing activities to fundraise, encouraging the community to help and to engaged.
• Service Survey: Design a measurement system (data) through surveys that allows us to identify the Service activities where our pupils are developing and evaluating the level of satisfaction/impact of the Spirit of Service experience.

This initiative has flourished under the visionary leadership of Miss Irene Villarroel, whose journey with The Grange School began in 1971 as a pupil. Her deep understanding of the School’s intrinsic values, cultivated over decades, has been instrumental in transmitting the critical role we aspire for our pupils to fulfill in society.

Miss Irene’s vision embodies the very essence of our founder Mr John Jackson’s legacy—a legacy rooted in humility, service, and the pursuit of the Common Good. Having inherited this mission herself, Miss Irene has dedicated her career to passing it on to new generations, ensuring that these ideals remain vibrant and central to our Community. Her leadership consolidates The Grange School’s unwavering commitment to nurturing individuals who are agents of change, equipped to make a meaningful and lasting impact on the world.

Through the foundation laid this year and the guidance of Miss Irene Villarroel, the Spirit of Service carries forward a tradition that transcends time—a tradition of shaping thoughtful, compassionate individuals who embody the spirit of Service and bring Mr John A S Jackson’s vision to life.

We also lay down a challenge for future generations at The Grange School: to continue embracing Service as a collective mission that unites all areas and sections of the School under a shared purpose.

Highlights of 2024 Campaigns

Through a wide range of campaigns and activities, pupils, Staff members, and families joined forces to create meaningful change, extending support to diverse groups and causes. Among the year’s most impactful initiatives were:

• Easter Campaign: Sharing the joy of the season with vulnerable communities.
• Bottle Caps Collection (8° Básico): Promoting environmental awareness while supporting a recycling initiative.
• Wool Squares Project: Creating handmade blankets to provide warmth and comfort to those in need.
• Support for Jardín Infantil Boca Bío Bío Sur (Concepción): Offering vital assistance to enhance early education for children.
• Poppy Appeal: Honouring the memory of those who served, while raising funds for veterans.
• Teletón: Demonstrating solidarity with children requiring rehabilitation services through active participation in this national cause.
• Books Campaign for Familias Primero: Donating books to encourage literacy and learning in underserved communities.
• Food Boxes: Providing essential supplies to organisations such as Puelmapu, Los Anhelos, and Fundación Mano Amiga.
• Stationery Drives: Supporting Coaniquem and Jardín Diego Portales with materials to facilitate education and therapy.
• Clothes Campaign: Offering garments to Coaniquem to aid their beneficiaries.

Additionally, the School’s commitment to sustainability and community engagement was evident in fundraising events like Family Day, Movie Night, and Bake Sales. Proceeds from these gatherings contributed to improvements at Jardín Diego Portales, Colegio Puelmapu, Jardín El Alerce, Jardín Los Anhelos, Hogar del Adulto Mayor Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles, among others, ensuring the tangible benefits of Service extended well beyond our campus.

These efforts are a vivid illustration of the transformative power of collective action. Each campaign has brought the School Community closer to realising its mission of fostering empathy, compassion, and a deep sense of social responsibility. The achievements of 2024 stand as a shining example of what is possible when we unite under the Spirit of Service, continuing to build bridges of hope and support for those in need.

Integration with Other Pillars

The integration of Service with The Grange School’s other Pillars— Sport, Academic, and Arts—has been a seal of the 2024 initiatives, showcasing the collaborative spirit that defines our Community. By aligning Service projects with academic, sports and volunteering programmes, pupils were provided with opportunities to apply their skills and passions in meaningful ways, further enriching their educational journey.

• Academic Projects: Service and learning came together in initiatives like Conectado Aprendo (2° EM), where pupils offered digital literacy support. In-house tutoring programmes (3° EM) provided peer academic assistance within the School, while computer science projects extended innovative solutions to Colegio Puelmapu, fostering both technical and social development. The Reading Programme lead by 2ºEM was run to Kinder pupils who found reading a bit more challenging. It is a rewarding experience, sharing stories between Senior and Lower Prep pupils, encouraging their progress, and seeing the excitement and engagement.
• Sports Projects: The values of teamwork and inclusion were celebrated through sports-based Service activities. Volleyball clinics, hockey sessions, and rugby events were organised to promote mixability, encouraging participants of all abilities to engage, collaborate, and grow. These projects exemplified how sports can build bridges and create lasting connections.
• Volunteering: Beyond academics and sports, pupils embraced opportunities to give back through volunteering. Activities such as Peer Support, Trabajos, and joyful Christmas events at Escuela Santa Emilia allowed pupils to directly experience the impact of their efforts, fostering empathy and a profound sense of community.

This integration highlights how the Spirit of Service transcends its own domain, weaving into every aspect of life at The Grange School. It reinforces our shared mission of developing well-rounded individuals who embody not only academic excellence and athleticism but also a deep commitment to social responsibility and the Common Good. Through these collaborative efforts, the School continues to inspire pupils to lead with compassion and purpose, ensuring that the values of Service resonate across all Pillars and aspects of their lives.

Lower Prep and Upper Prep Contributions

From Prekinder to 6° Básico, pupils actively engaged in Service activities tailored to their age group, such as visits to Jardín Infantil Los Anhelos, sports and academic activities with Colegio Puelmapu, and environmental projects like “Eco Bricks.”

Looking Ahead: 2025 Projects

The upcoming year promises to build on this foundation, with exciting initiatives like:

• Art Therapy Projects
• Fire Cadet Programmes
• Volunteering with Elderly Homes
• Rugby Activities with La Reina Schools
• English Tutoring for Colegio Puelmapu

Celebrating Creativity: The Gryphon Cover 2024

A special competition was organised this year to design the cover of The Gryphon 2024. This initiative provided pupils with an opportunity to express their creativity while reflecting on the theme of Spirit of Service.

Pupils from all levels were encouraged to participate, showcasing their artistic talents and personal interpretations of what Service means to them. Illustrations and digital designs were made, all capturing the essence of humility, empathy, and the commitment to the Common Good that Service represents.

After much deliberation, a panel of judges selected the winning design, that you will see at the launch of The Gryphon 2024. The chosen artwork beautifully encapsulates the Spirit of Service, portraying its impact on individuals and communities alike. This cover will not only grace the pages of The Gryphon 2024 but also stand as a symbol of our shared dedication to this vital pillar.

We congratulate all participants for their inspiring contributions and thank them for bringing the values of Service to life through art. This competition serves as a reminder that creativity, like Service, has the power to connect, inspire, and leave a lasting legacy.

Looking Ahead: The future of Service at The Grange School

Service continues to be a defining pillar of The Grange School, playing an integral role in shaping pupils into empathetic, respectful, and proactive members of society. As we reflect on the initiatives and accomplishments of this year, we remain steadfast in our commitment to nurturing a spirit of selflessness and responsibility that extends beyond the School gates.

The initiatives we have undertaken this year—whether through campaigns, fundraising events, or collaborations with local organisations—are just the beginning. The foundation we have built for Service within the School community sets the stage for even greater engagement in the future. We look forward to seeing how this invaluable initiative will evolve, as each generation of Grange pupils continues to carry the torch of service forward, enriching their own lives and positively impacting the lives of others.

With every project and every act of service, we are reminded that the true measure of success lies not in personal achievement, but in the difference we make together. The journey of Service at The Grange School is one that will continue to inspire, uplift, and unite, leaving a lasting legacy of compassion and care for years to come.