When Lucette Chu became Service Learning Manager at Dio in 2021, she brought a deep commitment to service shaped by her personal experiences. A proud Dio Alumnae (1997–2003) and recipient of Dio’s 2017 Women2Watch award for her humanitarian work, Lucette brings both expertise and passion to the role.

Before joining Dio, she worked in human resources at BDO Auckland and with World Vision in Cambodia. She also founded the Vietnam-based Quan Am Foundation after witnessing the severe poverty faced by orphaned children there. “It was a life-changing experience that opened my eyes to the needs of others,” she says. “I was overwhelmed and knew I had to do something.”

Now four years into her role, Lucette has helped develop Dio’s service learning programme into a vital part of school life, grounded in empathy, leadership, and community connection.

“Service isn’t just something we do,” Lucette says. “It’s a journey—about understanding others, listening first, and taking thoughtful action. We all see the world through different lenses — our culture, family, and experiences. Service at Dio encourages us to honour those and respond with compassion.”

At the start of each year, Lucette collaborates with deans and tutors to guide student-led, relevant and authentic service opportunities. While the projects vary, service remains a consistent thread, championed by students and staff. “It’s a way of life here,” she adds. “We want students to notice, to care, and to act — big or small.”

A Journey of Purpose: Year 7 to Year 13

As students grow in confidence, so does their ability to lead and contribute meaningfully. Service experiences at Dio meet students where they are — encouraging empathy, awareness, and a sense of collective responsibility.

Year 7: Building Community

Year 7 focuses on building relationships and a culture of kindness. “This is the foundation,” Lucette explains. This year, students worked with Gabby’s Starlit HOPE, creating over 600 “magic wands” for children in hospitals. Inspired by Gabby Devine’s Random Acts of Kindness (RAKs), the project introduced students to giving from the heart.

Year 8: William Pike Challenge

Year 8 students complete 60 hours across three categories: Passion Projects, Outdoor Activities, and Community Service. “It’s a growth year,” says Lucette. “The challenge encourages resilience, curiosity, and connection — qualities essential to meaningful service.”

Year 9: Walking in Others’ Shoes “The Refugee Challenge”, in partnership with Christian World Service, invites Year 9 students to step into the shoes of displaced people through real-life scenarios. “It’s about understanding, not just helping,” Lucette says.

Year 10: The Community Project

As part of the IB Middle Years Programme, students identify a community need and take action. This year’s projects included creating butterfly gardens and promoting pet therapy in aged-care homes. “It’s their first time leading a project from start to finish,” Lucette explains.

Year 11: Relay for Life

Year 11 students support the Cancer Society through Relay for Life, a day of fundraising and awareness. “It’s powerful,” Lucette reflects. “There’s energy, emotion, and unity. It shows what’s possible when we work together.”

Year 12: Be the Change

Year 12 students explore values, identity, and ethical leadership through Be the Change. One initiative involved supporting Dress a Girl Around the World by donating or sewing dresses for girls in vulnerable communities. “They apply what they’ve learned with purpose and care,” Lucette says.

Year 13: Leading by Listening

In their final year, students lead their own service projects through the Service Council. From blood drives to the Pink Ribbon campaign, these initiatives reflect leadership developed over time. “They’ve learned to listen, to lead, and to serve,” Lucette says.

Student Leadership: Service in Student Hands

Student leadership plays a vital role in Dio’s service efforts. Year 13 student Holly Bricklebank, Community Service Prefect, leads key initiatives alongside Evie Houtman and Zoe Schnuriger, including food, pyjama, and stationery drives, and Tuia Days.

They also lead the Community Service Council — 26 students from Years 7–13. “Having a large group connects us across year levels and boosts involvement,” Holly says.

This year has been a busy one for the Service Council, with projects running each term.

“Service brings people together,” Holly says. “This role has deepened my understanding of how important it is to support our wider community and give back in meaningful ways.”

A Whole-School Culture of Service

Service at Dio goes beyond year-level projects. Throughout the year, students, staff, and families support causes that benefit the wider community.

Two recent examples include:

• Feed it Forward for Auckland City Mission: This year, Dio donated an impressive 8,463 non-perishable food items to the Auckland City Mission. The annual Can Drive is a collaborative effort led by the Service Council, School Council, and House Prefects, who work together to support families facing food insecurity. The Mission depends on community donations to meet the growing need—currently, more than 1 in 5 children in Auckland live in households that struggle to afford enough food. Dio’s contribution plays a vital role in helping ensure access to nutritious meals, especially in times of crisis.

• The Kindness Collective Pyjama Drive: Led by the Service Council, this initiative encouraged students and staff to donate new pairs of pyjamas for children in need across New Zealand. Thanks to the generous support of the Dio community, the school surpassed its target—collecting over 1,000 pairs for the second consecutive year.

“These initiatives connect us,” Lucette says. “They bring the school together and show the power of acting with empathy and purpose.”

Why Service Matters

At its core, service at Dio isn’t about ticking off hours. It’s about cultivating a mindset of care — starting in the classroom and extending into the world.

“We’re helping grow young women who will carry these values forward,” Lucette says. “They’re not waiting until adulthood to make a difference — they’re already doing it.”

As Dio’s culture of service continues to thrive, one thing remains clear: kindness, empathy, and community aren’t just spoken values — they’re lived out, one thoughtful action at a time.