“Learning to stand in somebody else’s shoes, to see through their eyes, that’s how peace begins.  And it’s up to you to make that  happen.  Empathy is a quality of character that can  change the world.” – Barack Obama

The BRIDGES excursions this term have provided students with the opportunity to consider the viewpoints and life challenges of our community’s most vulnerable. Throughout the term, students have participated in a series of activities, one being the ‘Empathy Workshop’ whereby they were blindfolded and given a set of puzzles to complete as a group. Another activity was a guided tour around the city to learn about the history and culture of specific sites, and how the development of these impacted the homeless. Students also visited the ‘Big Issue Classroom’ where they listened to the life stories of a variety of people.

The BRIDGES school-based activities have also developed students’ skills at considering the issues that impact on others and their ability to thrive in a community. These include the High Resolves ‘Just Society’ program, watching the TV show ‘Filthy Rich and Homeless’ and a presentation scheduled for 9 September by Principal, Nicole Mangelsdorf, on the Vinnies Outreach programs.

It has been rewarding for staff to witness the development of students’ insight and compassion for others through the BRIDGES program. Many students have shown an outstanding ability to understand the plight of the marginalised. Students are now well equipped to complete their group projects where they devise a hypothesis on a social issue, and present possible solutions, and their online micro-credentials on Community Engagement and Understanding Poverty. We look forward to seeing what this cohort of students can do with the knowledge they have gained, towards changing the world for the better.

Kara-Lee Rabbetts
Level Leader: Year 9