Purpose, Passion, and PODs

At St. George’s School of Montreal, education is a dynamic journey of experiential learning that happens both in and out of the classroom. True understanding comes from engaging with the world, and this philosophy is a commitment that begins in a student’s earliest years. By the time students reach the High School Social Impact Program (SIP), they are stepping into a community culture in which spearheading projects that meet community needs is part of the St. George’s experience.

The Architecture of Empathy

The spark for active citizenship begins at the Elementary School through Community Learning. This foundation is most visible during the Grade 6 Community Learning Fair, where students showcase their work supporting local organizations and addressing social issues. Whether a student has grown through the Elementary program or is joining St. George’s for the first time in High School, they are immediately welcomed into this established culture of agency. For those new to the school, the Social Impact Program offers a platform to find their voice and lead.

High School PODs: Deepening the Impact

The journey for High School students begins each autumn at the POD Fair, a showcase where student and parent leaders present their initiatives to the students. This event exposes students to various causes and aligns their personal interests with service opportunities.

Rooted in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the High School SIP allows students to join small, mentor-led “PODs” dedicated to specific causes. These initiatives range from social action and community support, such as the Friendship Circle and MADA, to environmental stewardship through the Green Team, and advocacy for inclusion within the Neurodiversity POD. By offering these diverse pathways, the program ensures that every student can address real-world challenges in a way that resonates with them, dedicating at least 10 hours per year to meaningful change.

Kerry’s Kitchen: Baking a Difference

Founded by a St. George’s graduate, Kerry’s Kitchen is a powerful example of how a simple act of service can meet a profound need. Partnered with En Famille at the Montreal Jewish General Hospital, this POD supports families and individuals living with cancer, while also providing treats to various shelters across Montreal.

This year, the pod is led by Grade 10 student Iris K., who stepped up to the role after seeing the high demand from her peers. In the kitchen, students work in pairs to prepare doughs and batters, creating hundreds of healthy treats like muffins and cookies. For Iris, the reward is in the tangible results of their collective effort.

“It was really beautiful to see how just something as small as baking can truly impact someone so positively. It helps that students are able to do something they enjoy while being able to give back to the community.”

— Iris K. ’27

One of the most memorable moments for the group this year was a session that produced nearly 200 cookies. “The whole group was so impressed by how many cookies we had ended up making,” Iris shares. “It felt really good that we knew we could help out people who needed it.”

MADA: Empathy in Action

In the heart of our local community, MADA serves as a vital safety net for people at risk. Led by parent volunteer Rebecca Fruchter, the MADA POD brings together students to work toward the common good.

Whether they are supporting the kitchen team, packing food boxes, or participating in community campaign calls, students develop a firsthand understanding of food security and social responsibility. For Fruchter, who has led the group for several years, the impact is seen in how students connect socially and push through even the most challenging tasks with a positive attitude.

“Hands-on community service is important because it helps model the kind of adults we hope they’ll become: empathetic, responsible, and engaged. Early exposure can shape their perspective and hopefully carries forward into adulthood.”

— Rebecca Fruchter, Parent POD Leader

What stays with the leaders most is the students’ resilience. Fruchter recalls a particularly intense shift packing horseradish for Passover: “The smell was so intense we were literally crying and laughing at the same time. What struck me most was that the students were willing to push through it with good humour.”

Wako Ayudando: Art and Global Action

A standout initiative within the program is Wako Ayudando, led by Grade 11 student Annabella A. and her mother, Wendy Alperstein. This project blends artistic expression with international aid, raising funds for Ayudando Abrigando, a non-profit in Peru that converts recycled plastic bottles into blankets and clothing for families in need.

Now in its fourth year, the Wako POD has grown into the High School’s largest, boasting nearly 40 members. This growth is a testament to the unique partnership between students and parents. Because PODs require adult mentorship, Wendy stepped in to co-lead the group so Annabella could bring her vision to life at St. George’s.

“Annabella has been raising money for Peru since elementary school. When she discovered the opportunity to do the POD and tell her friends about it, I supported it and said I’d lead it with her. Now, it’s the largest POD because kids who joined in earlier years keep coming back, even just to volunteer at bake sales.”

— Wendy Alperstein, Parent POD Leader

The project is a true interdisciplinary effort; students utilize the High School’s robotics lab to 3D print Wako figurines, which are traditional Peruvian pottery designs, before painting and selling them. For Annabella, who aspires to be a mechanical engineer, this hands-on process bridges her technical interests with her passion for service.

“Moving to Canada at age 10, I realized that even from here, I can still help. Going back to Peru for a service trip and seeing a little girl hug me because of a gift we provided, that is why I work so hard on these fundraisers. It’s for people who deserve to be warm.”

— Annabella A. ’26

Next Stop: The Cusco Pediatric Hospice

This March Break, the POD is setting their sights on a new objective, supporting the construction of a pediatric hospice in Cusco. With only three such facilities in all of Latin America, the need for specialized palliative care for children is critical.

The hospice is slated to open in December, and the St. George’s community is targeting specific equipment needs. “They sent us a list of items ranging from $200 to $1,000,” Wendy explains. “Depending on how much we make, we can bring a bed or a microwave, anything they need so they don’t have to use their vital funding on equipment.”

“It’s important for the kids in the POD to see where all their work has gone. I want them to see that their hard work is actually helping a community, it’s not just an empty statement.”

— Annabella A. ’26

The Breakfast Club: Early Morning Advocacy

Service at St. George’s also happens in the morning. The Breakfast Club: Advocacy and Awareness Alliance meets every Wednesday at 7:40 a.m. in the Learning Commons. This POD contemplates how to make the world a more peaceful and just place, tackling social justice issues “one croissant at a time.”

Over the past several weeks, the club has been hard at work on its most ambitious initiative yet, a Winter Sock Drive to support Advocacy for Montreal. Today, February 12th, marks the final day of the drive. Students spent the morning gathering the last of the new socks and boots collected to help prevent cold-weather illnesses for Montreal’s homeless population. With the collection officially closing, the students eagerly await the final count to see which grade earned the points toward an early dismissal before March Break.

Why It Matters: Building Global Citizens

While community service is an integral part of the curriculum at St. George’s, the Social Impact Program is designed to be a laboratory for leadership rather than a simple checklist. By providing a structured opportunity to earn necessary hours through student-led passion projects, the SIP transforms a school requirement into a meaningful personal journey.

By aligning their actions with global goals, students see that their 2,500+ collective hours of annual service contribute to measurable change. Through these varied initiatives, St. George’s High School students are documenting their growth as empathetic, critical thinkers who understand that their effort holds deep, intrinsic value.

“The Pod initiatives represent our commitment to active, hands-on citizenship. Through personal connections and local partnerships, our students begin to see themselves as true contributors, discovering that their efforts are not just about meeting a requirement, but about their own personal growth and impact on the world.”

— Luke Welton, Social Sciences Teacher & Social Impact Program Coordinator

Through the generosity of POD leaders, including faculty, parents, and alumni, St. George’s continues to foster a culture where service is an intrinsic value. We are not just preparing students for the world; we are empowering them to change it.