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.”

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

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.