Making a Difference, One Hour at a Time
Service is at the heart of what makes Botany Downs Secondary College special. Through the Student Volunteer Army (SVA) Service Award programme, our students have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to their communities, transforming hours into impact and compassion into action.
Our Service Journey: 2023-2025
The numbers tell a powerful story. Over the past three years, 447 BDSC students embraced the challenge of giving back, collectively creating ripples of positive change throughout our community and beyond. Their dedication earned:
- 27 Gold pins – recognising exceptional service commitments
- 57 Silver pins – honouring sustained volunteer efforts
- 153 Bronze pins – celebrating emerging community leaders
- 210 Members’ badges – welcoming students beginning their service journey
These aren’t just pins and badges—they’re symbols of countless hours spent tutoring younger students, supporting local organisations, protecting our environment, and strengthening our community bonds.
2025 Top Volunteer:
Rainie Tang 12B13
Every year, one student rises above all others, not through competition, but through unwavering dedication to service. This year, we proudly recognise Rainie Tang 12B13 as our 2025 Top Volunteer.
Rainie’s achievement is extraordinary: 987 hours of service logged between 2023 and 2025. But behind these numbers lies a story of genuine commitment to creating positive change.
Her volunteering portfolio reads like a masterclass in community engagement. From the heartfelt connections made through the Letters to Strangers project to the patient dedication of tutoring Year 9 mathematics students, Rainie has touched lives in countless ways. She challenged herself through the World Vision 40 Hour Famine, represented student voices as Howick Youth Council School Seat Representative, and spent five immersive days on Kawau Island engaged in hands-on conservation work.
Through her involvement in the Climate Leaders Fellowship and various environmental initiatives, Rainie hasn’t just volunteered—she’s led. Her service aligns with multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, demonstrating how one student’s commitment can contribute to global progress while making a tangible difference locally.
Rainie embodies what it means to be a BDSC student: compassionate, driven, and committed to leaving the world better than she found it.
What is the SVA Service Award?
The SVA Service Award is a national framework that gives students across New Zealand—from Year 7 through Year 13—a way to record, track, and receive recognition for their volunteering efforts. Best of all, it’s completely free for all students.
The programme follows a simple philosophy: Log. Earn. Build. Use.
Students log their volunteering hours through the user-friendly SVA App or website. All forms of service count—whether it’s helping with school events, volunteering in the community, or supporting family and neighbours at home. As students reach hour milestones, they earn recognition pins that acknowledge their growing commitment. Over time, they build a comprehensive Summary of Service—a powerful document that strengthens university applications, enriches CVs, and opens doors to leadership opportunities.
Your Service Journey Starts Here
Ready to begin your own volunteering story? Getting started is simple:
- Download the SVA App from the App Store or Google Play Store
- Or create an account at volunteer.sva.org.nz
- Start logging your service hours immediately
Your Service Record becomes more than a list of hours—it’s a detailed account of your volunteering journey, showcasing the events you’ve contributed to, the causes you’ve supported, and how your efforts align with global sustainability goals. This comprehensive record serves as invaluable documentation for student leadership roles, university and halls of residence applications, scholarship submissions, and future employment opportunities.
At BDSC, we believe that service isn’t just something we do—it’s who we are. Whether you’re just beginning your volunteering journey or aiming for your Gold pin, every hour matters, every action counts, and every student has the power to make a difference.
Join the movement. Log your hours. Change the world.
~ Shraddha Sharma, SVA Teacher in Charge