Community Engagement.

Everyone matters and can make a positive difference. In line with this statement, all SC members –students, families, teachers, and staff- are invited to participate in different initiatives to generate a meaningful engagement with the community, in alignment with the SC Profile and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The Community Engagement programme aims to inspire the school community to feel valued and to recognize its capacity to generate a positive impact on the environment. Through the management, coordination and leadership of various initiatives, it encourages the active participation of students, families, teachers and staff.

In order to achieve the overall purpose and identify opportunities for collaboration and engagement with the community, it is essential to establish support networks with external organizations. This must be accompanied by coordinated work among the different groups of people at Santiago College.

Some scopes are:

• Community engagement embedded within units of inquiry
• Student councils and other student leadership teams
• Parent Association through fun community events that strengthen school spirit
• Alumni Association through community events, donations and social service
• Work within Lo Barnechea and with community visitors
• Conferences and workshops
• Festivals, celebrations and the work of the Traditions Committee
• Community Wellbeing Committee
• School Trips
• After School Activities Programmes
• ABS Sports and Cultural Programmes
• Endorsed charities and emergency campaigns
• Family volunteering

Some Key Campaigns

Santiago College organizes various campaigns throughout the year to support institutions linked to our community. In addition, it responds to emergency situations that affect both our internal and external communities. In many of these initiatives, the volunteers of Social Service Alumni and Parents have played a key role of support and leadership.

• Winter “Warm a Heart” Campaign: During the fall and winter season, the whole community is invited to knit 20×20 wool squares and form blankets, which are delivered to different institutions. The squares that are not knitted are given to the “Abrigar la esperanza” Foundation so that others can knit them. New blankets are also received during this campaign.

• Harvest: A school tradition that promotes gratitude for the resources that the earth and nature provide us, fostering sensitivity and commitment to help those in need. Each year, during a two to three week campaign, food and hygiene/toiletries are collected, with each level in charge of a specific item. Everything gather is distributed to support different institutions.

• August, month of solidarity: During these weeks, a pedagogical and communicational work of linking and learning about a particular Foundation is carried out, with the aim of raising funds for a specific project.

• Coaniquem: As part of the School´s Days celebrations, the House Captains have been leading a campaign to collect items for Coaniquem, non-profit institution dedicated to the comprehensive and free rehabilitation of children and adolescents with burns and other scars.  As part of this initiative, the SC community comes together to collect  goods that will be sell in Coaniquem´s stores, as a way to gather funds to finance their programs.

• Teletón: The school actively participates in this Foundation’s campaign, offering space for different community-driven initiatives. The purpose is to raise funds for the comprehensive rehabilitation of children and adolescents with disabilities.