Connecting with the community is a focus of Saltus Grammar School’s activities beyond the classroom this school year, and Year 6 students have embraced the concept enthusiastically.Under the guidance of Year 6 teacher Nicola Cunha, the students have formed a service club aimed at supporting local charities over a six-week period.Initially the club, which meets during Wednesday lunch hours, was to have a site-visit component, but proved so popular with students that outings became unmanageable, and now charity representatives visit the school to share their needs with the children.Explaining the thought behind the initiative, Ms Cunha stated, “It makes the kids aware of those out there who are needy and could use their help.”Ms Cunha selected six organisations with different needs so that week by week the children were collecting different things.Club members decorate collection boxes and make posters raising awareness of what is to be collected which they then post around the primary school.On Wednesdays during club time they visit the Upper Primary classrooms to collect the items which are then presented to the charity representative during a school assembly.The project began with the collection of tinned food and non-perishable items as part of the Make Hunger History Week organised by the Eliza Doolittle Society.Then the students collected books for Woodrose Preschool and Nursery; cat and dog food, timothy hay and collars for the SPCA; and aluminium foil, washcloths, dish towels, washing up liquid and note pads for Teen Haven.In the future personal hygiene items will be collected for Loads of Love and tinned food for the Salvation Army.While the students enjoy the creative aspect of designing posters and decorating collection boxes, they also enjoy making a difference to their community.“It’s really great,” declared Jordan Davies, “because we’re helping other people. It feels nice to help them.”