Year 10

Service Learning

Engaging in Service Learning through organisations like Kids Giving Back offers students a unique opportunity to make a difference while gaining valuable skills. This Term, students have participated in different learning initiatives focused on issues like homelessness, where they could apply gained knowledge to real-world problems, fostering empathy and practical understanding. Throughout our day working with Kids Giving Back, students were able to collaborate with peers, enhancing teamwork and communication skills. As they contribute to addressing homelessness, they develop a sense of social responsibility and self-efficacy. 

“On Tuesday Year 10 participated in a service day excursion in which we educated ourselves and partook in activities to do with the issue of homelessness in Sydney. We started the day with some reflective questions starting with empathy – How do you think it would feel to not have a stable place to live? Can you imagine what daily life might be like for someone who is homeless? What basic needs do you think everyone deserves to have access to? This in turn led to the following discussions:

• Challenging our perceptions – exploring biases, assumptions and stereotypes
• Learning about root causes – factors in society; economic inequality and lack of affordable housing
• Personal responsibility and compassion – understanding different perspectives.
• Creating change – how do we make a positive impact on the issue of homelessness.
• Community and support – how can communities help individuals experiencing homelessness?
• Long term solutions including the role of government and policy.

Following these discussions we headed into Paddington to visit Kids Giving Back, Cook4Good, where we prepared food for the homeless. This experience was not only rewarding, but fun as well, and it was great to know we were doing something for our community. In the end, we made 160 meals in total, including hot meals, fruit skewers and rice paper rolls. After a break for lunch, we headed off on an urban walk, where we explored parts of Paddington and Darlinghurst, led by our guide. He had a lot of valuable insight on the city as he was once one of the homeless people living there. Overall, this day was an eye-opening experience, and I am very thankful that we are in a privileged enough position to be able to help these people who are experiencing the prominent problem of homelessness in Sydney”.

Reflection from Megan Kirkpatrick.

If students are keen to continue volunteering for Kids Giving Back, there is a great opportunity to do so with this organisation.

More Information Here

Term 3 Key Dates

Please note some key dates for Term 3 below for your reference.

Ms Lisa Vale
Yr 10 Advisor
9968 9837
lvale@redlands.nsw.edu.au