St Dominics Newcastle learners create lasting impact on Mandela Day
12 August 2025On Mandela Day, learners at St Dominics Newcastle turned their outreach into a long-term contribution to the community. The school’s Men of Honour group, supported by learners across all grades, led a collaborative food-preparation drive for a local feeding scheme.
Practical service with extended reach
Instead of preparing soup on campus, each register class was assigned specific ingredients – vegetables, soup mix, stock, and canned goods. Learners cleaned, peeled, chopped, and packed everything during school hours. These frozen bulk ingredients were donated to a nearby Catholic Church that runs a weekly Thursday feeding programme for members of the Newcastle community.
Men of Honour coordinator Thomas van Dyk said: ‘This approach gave our learners a clear sense of purpose. They knew they were contributing to more than a single meal.’
Balancing service and spirit
The outreach happened alongside Interhouse Football Day, a dual event that highlighted both teamwork and compassion. Participation extended beyond Men of Honour, drawing in Power Circle, Leo’s Club, and school staff.
Men of Honour, which began as a dinner etiquette group for matrics, has evolved into a broader leadership initiative that promotes respect, maturity, and meaningful engagement with others.
Mandela Day with intention
By focusing on ingredients rather than a one-time meal, the initiative ensured that its impact would continue well beyond the day itself. St Dominics Newcastle continues to encourage learners to lead through practical service and thoughtful action.