In Term 4 Students from Year 11 Religion and Ethics classes engaged in practical learning experiences to develop the skills and dispositions necessary to help them live and work successfully in a complex and rapidly changing world.

In partnership with the St Vincent de Paul Society and under the guidance of Vinnies Youth Coordinator Michael Siccama, 8 classes of students rotated through a diverse range of activities across a total of 55 lessons. These activities ranged from sorting clothing and donations for sale, rag-cutting or export, pricing items and setting them out for display in the retail area, testing games and batteries to ensure they were in saleable condition and unpacking items for the Christmas season.

It was amazing to see the students respond so positively to their experience. So many of them really thrived at implementing skills that we rarely see in the classroom: their wonderful customer service, quick sorting ability, their wonder at the huge variety of clothing styles available (especially for women) and at how few men’s clothes are donated. Many students even learned simple skills such as how to fold clothes! They really did have fun but also provided much valuable help to Vinnies, who were desperately short of volunteers at this time of the year.

A huge thank you to Michael and Vinnies for joining with us to provide this experience, to Mr McMahon and Shalom drivers for the procession of bus trips to and from the venue and to the students themselves for so whole-heartedly participating in the different activities with such positive attitudes. They really did bond and most of the lessons involved a lot of camaraderie and laughter, as well as good work. What a lovely way to finish the year!

Mrs Trish Ingall 
Head of Department - Religion
patricia_ingall@shalomcollege.com