YEAR 10 NEWS
YEAR 10 OUTREACH PROGRAM
With the support and encouragement of Mr Commensoli, Leader of Learning for Religious Education, our Year 10 students are taking part in the Outreach Program. This initiative provides opportunities for students to engage in a range of community projects, allowing them to “give back” in a meaningful way.
The program reflects our school prayer, “For it is in giving… that we receive,” as well as our Year Group Prayer: “Give us strength to show compassion and help us flourish in all that we do” and “Courage to accept new opportunities.”
The first two projects that the students have participated in are, Cross Generation Technology programme and the local nursing home visits.
CROSS GENERATION TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMME
Year 10 students were recently invited to work alongside older members of our community, offering support with technology such as mobile phones and laptops. This experience was both positive and heart-warming, as our students patiently shared their knowledge and skills in a kind and helpful way. It was inspiring to see the confidence and smiles that grew on both sides — the older participants appreciated the practical help, while our students gained a sense of pride in being able to make a real difference.
Student Reflections
Lucas Fuller
During Cross Gen, I get to meet up with seniors with modern technology. I get introduced to them and assist them through their issues. As an avid tech guy, I do know some knicks and knacks about technology. While most of it is on computers (and especially Windows), I do have a decent amount of knowledge for both Apple and Android devices. I usually guide them through their requests, with the seniors usually jotting them down by pen onto paper, for later use.The main thing that I did enjoy from this program is getting the sense of doing IT (Information Technology), and probably having the chance of becoming a technician. By helping with the seniors, I communicate with them on how to solve their issues, and guide them on what to do for the future. Usually, I get a good feeling from taking part in this program. By doing this again and again, I can acquire a reasonable amount or foreseeable knowledge, which can potentially help me when I grow up.
Logan Gillette -
In the Cross Gen program, I help the elderly with anything involving technology as it is becoming the future. I enjoy being able to bond and spend time with the elderly. I enjoy having a good chat and bonding with them, and that is all I need!
Sarah Hilton Cummins, Heid Lovell and Sara Rose
This program was really fun and engaging, being able to connect with the community. Teaching others was very rewarding and seeing the elderly each week made our week because we always have good conversations and laughter.
Heidi Lovell
Cross Gen is a great and inclusive program for everyone because you don’t have to be a tech genius to be able to help in this program. In cross gen we help the elderly community with their devices by helping them with how to send a text for example. I really enjoy spending time helping.
Matilda Dicker
In Cross gen I have been working on helping the elderly with emails, facetime, facebooktags, attachments and NSW Service app. I enjoy helping someone that doesn't have the ability to figure things out. I get the enjoyment from getting to know someone and being someone they can trust.
NURSING HOME VISITS
As part of the St John’s Year 10 Outreach Program, our students volunteer at a local nursing home. The visit provided an opportunity for residents and students to connect and spend time together in a positive way. Students spent time chatting with residents, sharing stories, and joining in practical activities. Many found the experience rewarding, as it allowed them to show kindness, build confidence, and understand the value of giving back.
Student Reflections
Taylah Scott Year
My experience at the nursing home was filled with bingo, laughter and memories. I enjoyed hearing the residents' stories and life experiences. I felt privileged and grateful for my time with Malcom, as he was very chatty and filled with jokes. He was a bit upset about not winning bingo; it was so uplifting to see the smiles on their faces. This was an amazing experience, and I recommend it for future Year 10 students.
Scarlet Christofferson
My time at the nursing home visits was very memorable. When we entered the home, we met everyone and played bingo with the residents. There were rewards if we won, which really brought some joy to the group. Overall, it was an enjoyable experience and I would definitely do it again.
Macie Harrison
My participation in being a visitor at the nursing home this year has been extraordinary. The weather was not ideal, but that did not take away from how positive the experience was overall. At the nursing home, my peers and I got to engage in bingo with the residents while taking part in conversation and learning about the residents' real-life experiences.
Codi Weber
On September 9th, three fellow students and I visited the Jonathan Rogers Nursing Home. We played bingo with the residents, offering help to those that needed it. Ethan, Alana and I had the opportunity to call out the bingo numbers for a game each. The residents were very warm and welcoming and offered engaging conversations, telling us stories about their lives and asking us questions about ourselves. Overall, it was a rewarding and eye opening experience for us and I am thankful for the opportunity. We hope our visit brightened their day as much as they brightened ours.
These Outreach experiences highlight the importance of living out our faith through service. By spending time with nursing home residents and assisting older members of our community with technology, our students are putting into practice the words of our school prayer: “For it is in giving… that we receive.” These opportunities remind us that even small acts of kindness can strengthen our community and help our students grow in faith and compassion.
“With strong minds and gracious hearts”
Ms Wendy Isemonger
Year 10 Leader of Wellbeing