We arrived at A Rocha at 9:30 am on Tuesday and Wednesday, welcomed by a gentle but persistent shower. Despite the weather, the staff offered us a far warmer reception, instantly making us feel at home in the cozy, dry barn loft. We began the day by learning about A Rocha’s mission and the surrounding watershed ecosystem. Afterward, we pulled on our rain jackets and set off on a nature walk through a beautiful, forested part of the property. Along the way, we paused to quietly reflect on the small yet striking details in our environment—moments of stillness that encouraged a deeper appreciation of the world around us. When we returned, we were divided into work groups to help with various tasks across the site. My group was assigned to scrub built-up grime from the tops and sides of two tomato tunnels—a surprisingly satisfying job. After a relaxing lunch, we regrouped and moved to an area with several large conifers. There, we raked and collected the fallen needles and sticks, transferring the piles onto tarps and loading them into a trailer, which the grounds manager emptied periodically. Overall, our class gained a deeper appreciation for a place so clearly cared for and nurtured. Many students, including myself, found joy in the experience and walked away with a renewed respect for creation and stewardship.
by Lucas V. 11A
Spending PEAK week serving alongside peers, teachers, and ministry staff was an experience I really cherished. Together, we built a close-knit community rooted in shared purpose and service. As cliche as it may sound, I think I speak for our entire grade when I say that this week was far more than just a school event: it was a journey of growth and deeper connection – to each other and to God – as we stepped out of our comfort zone and into the joy of serving.
One particularly memorable moment during PEAK week was serving at the Surrey Urban Missions Society (SUMS). During our time at SUMS homeless shelter, our team divided into two groups: One prepared and served meals to shelter residents, while the other organized recreational games and activities. Both groups found meaningful connections through service as we interacted with guests and with each other.
We also had the chance during PEAK week to volunteer at NightShift Ministries, serving hot meals to guests while staff played live music under a tent. Though rain poured heavily, the atmosphere felt unexpectedly warm. As we cleaned up afterward, many of us reflected on how the simplest acts —whether that be a meal, a song, or even just showing up —can become holy ground when offered with an open heart.
By TaiChi H. 11B
On Thursday, March 13th, a large group of the grade eleven students had the opportunity to serve at the George Derby Centre. Arriving at nine in the morning, students were split into groups to help lead various activities, including table games, shuffleboard, pool, crafts, and painting nails. While running these activities, students were able to engage in conversation with the seniors living there, hearing their stories and giving them a lot of entertainment. The craft that was led by my group was rock painting, something many of the seniors thoroughly enjoyed. A lot of them also liked playing “Snakes and Ladders”, “Uno”, “Mahjong”, and “Yahtzee”. In the afternoon, a group of musically gifted students entertained the seniors with various songs on the piano, guitar, and the maracas. The seniors also got to participate in a fun sing along with the students! The students were very grateful for the fun opportunity to serve in the community, and the George Derby Centre immensely appreciated our school’s efforts in connecting with them.
By Kaiyah S. 11B