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About SVA

A MOVEMENT FOR VOLUNTEERING

The Student Volunteer Army has developed from it's shaky beginnings in Canterbury to be a nationwide organisation encouraging all ākonga to volunteer and value takoha at every stage of their education.

The SVA Foundation run three major programmes: SVA Kids, SVA Service Award and SVA Clubs.

SVA Kids is for primary school aged children. The students, with the guidance of a volunteering kit, lead and execute a classroom project of their choice in their local community.

SVA Clubs are groups led and run by tertiary students. They are made up of an executive committee who plan events for their members.

What is the SVA Service Award?

The SVA Service Award is a platform where secondary school students log and reflect on their volunteering hours.

The students are working towards Member, Bronze, Silver, and Gold badges to acknowledge the awesome mahi that they do in their community, whether it be their school, family or neighbourhood.

Annual Report 2020 - Cover Page

SVA Annual Report 2020

In 2020, the Student Volunteer Army has seen many successes. We put together a grocery service in response to COVID-19 and saw 1000s of volunteers help those in need more than themselves. In addition, the SVA has had another great year with our primary, secondary, and tertiary level initiatives.
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If you would like to see last years report, click on the link below:
2019 Annual Report

Mobilising action towards the 17 Global Goals

For the first time in history, there is a globally agreed list of priorities that are called the Sustainable Development Goals or Global Goals. Each goal relies on actions of volunteers, and calls for long-term attitude and behaviour changes - for example, in the way we waste food or pollute the ocean with plastic.

Service Award students work towards Sustainable Development Goals of their choice and reflect on the impact that their takoha is having.  

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To end poverty in all its forms everywhere by 2030.

To end hunger, achieve food security, improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.

To ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

Ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning.

To achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

To ensure access to safe water sources and sanitation for all.

To ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

To promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all.

Build good systems, use new ideas and make sure cities are ready for the future.

To reduce inequalities within and among countries.

To make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

To ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.

Taking urgent action to tackle climate change and its impacts.

To conserve and sustainably use the world’s oceans, seas and marine resources.

To sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss.

Promote peace, justice and equality of people in different societies all around the world.

To revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.

Learn more.

what schools are saying

This is perfect for our school. We have so many students who act as unpaid caregivers for grandparents and siblings at home. Ironically, this is often a barrier to producing a full CV of service related activities when it comes to completing applications for study or employment. The Service Record component of the Awards means our kids can be recognised for the work they actually do - exciting times

Vicki Cotton, Head of Careers - Sacred Heart Girls' High School

We are currently undergoing an awards review in our school to explore how we can make this more accessible and visible across all year levels so this will be fabulous.

Chris Jordan, Assistant Principal, Greenbay High School

The pins are a real currency - the girls continue to aim for the next level as they really want to add the beautiful pin to their school blazer

Cat Roberts, Deputy Principal - Sacred Heart College (Hamilton)

The beauty of our students registering with the SVA Service Award means they can keep a full log over the years of their service and print this out, which is of huge value to them

Anglea Garret, Service Coordinator - Carmel College

Our Partners & Sponsors

“Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in
democracy. When you volunteer, you vote
every day about the kind of community
you want to live in”.

― Dr Syed Muhammad Zeeshan Hussain Almashhadi

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