NOT FROM  THE PRINCIPAL!

This week I had the opportunity to travel with our Year 10 Students to their weekly Faith in Action sessions. While I work with our Year 10’s every day at school, this wonderful program, facilitated by our REC Patrece Maxwell, provides our students with incredible opportunities to shine and gave me a clear reminder of the importance of contributing to our community and making a difference. 

Each week a group of our students spend time helping out at the community gardens, planting, weeding and mulching, watering and harvesting crops that will be available to the community. More spend time with the students at Elouera, showing empathy and assisting students who are not as fortunate as they are with their health and their abilities, the joy on the faces of the Elouera students is priceless. Other students attend the local nursing home, bringing light and noise, conversation and games to the elderly residents who each week look forward to the opportunity to be reminded of what it was to be young. Yet another group participates in service for the school and parish, giving back to our immediate community.

It was wonderful to see the commitment and dedication of our students as they engage in these Faith in Action sessions, making a tangible impact on both the community and their own personal development. While the benefits of this program to others is readily clear, what do our students get out of the experience.

Empathy and Compassion:

The experiences our students gain through their involvement in Faith in Action sessions go beyond the act of giving back. They learn essential life skills such as empathy and compassion. By spending time with Elouera students and elderly residents at the local nursing home, our students not only provide valuable assistance but also create meaningful connections. These interactions offer a unique perspective, allowing our students to appreciate their own blessings while fostering a deep sense of empathy for others. They learn to look beyond themselves and understand the world from different points of view.

Personal Growth:

Engaging in community service activities also promotes personal growth among our students. It challenges them to step out of their comfort zones, develop leadership skills, and cultivate a sense of responsibility. Through the act of service, they gain a stronger sense of self-worth and purpose. These experiences become invaluable life lessons that extend far beyond the classroom, preparing them to become compassionate, well-rounded individuals who are not only academically capable but also socially responsible.

Building a Stronger Community:

When our students actively contribute to their community, they play a vital role in building a stronger, more connected society. The relationships formed with Elouera students, elderly residents, and other community members are the building blocks of a harmonious and supportive community. The benefits of their contributions extend beyond the immediate recipients, fostering a sense of unity and solidarity that enriches the lives of everyone involved.

Inspiring Others:

Our students' involvement in community service is not just about the impact they make in the present but also about the lasting legacy they leave. Their dedication and enthusiasm for service can serve as an inspiration to their peers and families. They set an example for others to follow, encouraging more students to get involved and create a ripple effect of positive change within our school and the broader community. By nurturing values like empathy, compassion, personal growth, and community building, we are helping shape the future leaders and citizens who will contribute positively to society. 

Faith in Action sessions undertaken by our Year 10 students are not just a weekly activity; they are a crucial part of their education that fosters values, skills, and experiences that will stay with them for a lifetime. We should celebrate their efforts and continue to promote community involvement and service as a fundamental aspect of our school's ethos. But we are also reminded that there are many ways that all of us can contribute to improving the lives of others and few of them are time consuming. This week, take some time to think about what you can do to make like better for someone else.

Ms Erryn Marsay

Secondary Coorindator