Community Service

Korowa students in Years 9 and 10 proudly take part in the Go Girls 100km Challenge each year, an annual relay event that brings together girls’ schools across Victoria to raise funds for women at risk of domestic violence.

They complete a continuous 100-kilometre relay, sharing the physical challenge across a five-hour event. But the impact of Go Girls extends well beyond the track. Students also take the initiative to lead their own fundraising efforts, engaging their families, friends and wider communities to support the cause.

Funds raised through Go Girls support women who have experienced domestic violence, social isolation or homelessness, helping them build confidence, develop skills and move towards financial independence. The Foundation’s work centres on dignity, empowerment and the belief that every woman deserves the opportunity to shape her own future.

Korowa students have embraced this challenge with determination and compassion, and in both 2024 and 2025 our girls were the highest fundraising school in the Challenge. Their involvement reflects student leadership at its best: young women acting with courage, empathy and purpose to support others and effect meaningful change.

Big Day In is Korowa’s annual whole-school fundraising event, bringing students, staff and families together in support of our sister school, Korowa Memorial School on Bhola Island, Bangladesh.

Established more than two decades ago, Big Day In reflects Korowa’s long-standing commitment to education as a powerful force for change. Funds raised through the day contribute directly to supporting teachers and essential learning resources at the sister school, helping provide educational opportunities for girls whose circumstances would otherwise limit access to schooling.

Planned and led by students, Big Day In is a celebration of community, leadership and purpose. The day is filled with energy and creativity, featuring student-run stalls, games and performances that bring the whole School together. Through these shared experiences, students learn that meaningful service can be both joyful and impactful.

Big Day In encourages students to look beyond their immediate world and to understand their place within a global community. It fosters empathy, responsibility and a deep appreciation of how collective action can make a tangible difference in the lives of others.

Quest is Korowa’s Year 9 immersive program that places service, community and contribution at its centre. Through the month-long Quest, students step beyond the classroom and engage directly with real-world needs, learning what it means to contribute thoughtfully and responsibly to the communities around them.

Across the program, students work on a range of service-based projects, from supporting local soup kitchens and community organisations to participating in wildlife care, environmental initiatives and sustainability projects. These experiences are hands-on and collaborative, requiring students to plan, problem-solve and work together with purpose.

Quest encourages students to develop empathy, resilience and social awareness, while also building confidence and independence. By contributing their time, energy and care, students come to understand their capacity to make a meaningful difference, and the responsibility that comes with it.

As part of Korowa’s broader commitment to service, Quest reflects the School’s belief that education should extend beyond academic learning, helping students grow into engaged, compassionate and capable young people. Learn more about Quest here.

Korowa students also have the opportunity to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award, a globally recognised program that encourages young people to challenge themselves through service, skill development, physical activity and outdoor adventure.

Community service is a meaningful component of the Award. Students contribute their time and energy to causes they care about, from supporting local organisations to participating in environmental initiatives or assisting within the school community. These experiences help students understand the value of contribution, responsibility and sustained commitment.

Alongside service, the Duke of Edinburgh Award supports students to build independence, resilience and confidence. It complements Korowa’s broader commitment to developing capable, compassionate young people who are prepared to make a positive difference in the world.

Environmental responsibility is an important part of Korowa’s approach to community service. Through sustainability and environment-focused initiatives, students are encouraged to develop an understanding of their impact on the natural world and their responsibility to care for it.

Across the School, students participate in environmental service projects that include tree planting, habitat care and sustainability initiatives, often through environment groups, co-curricular activities and year-level programs. These hands-on experiences allow students to contribute positively to their local environment while learning about conservation, stewardship and long-term thinking.

Environmental service at Korowa is grounded in action. Students work collaboratively on practical projects, developing awareness, responsibility and respect for the natural world. Through these experiences, they come to understand that caring for the environment is not a one-off activity, but an ongoing commitment that sits alongside social and community responsibility.