Since 1997, Townshend has had services incorporated in its educational programme for all students.

Each student is expected to perform 40 hours of service during each academic year. The service may be social or environmental but has to be for the benefit of mankind. The choice belongs to the student!

Many students over the years have found life-directions in this highly educational experience and have emerged with greater empathy while some have found the whole experience very confronting. The development of a spirit of service and the practice of altruism is among the most important aspects of this exercise.

Fundraiser for the victims of the Japan Earthquake and Sunami

The services co-ordinator at the school provides opportunities for students to do a few hours of service at a time in Kindergartens, in old people’s homes, in schools for the handicapped, in the local zoo, in a rehabilitation centre, with the forestry department, and other organisations.

Students who arrange their own service have involved themselves in Hospitals, hospices, kindergartens, children’s camps, and a host of similar venues.

One home-grown service is “Together to Gather” which comprises of students who organise fundraising and raise awareness of needs in the developing world.