Life Skills

Although we prepare our students for many of life’s ups and downs once they leave St Aidan’s, we recently implemented a program that covers some generic life skills that are not generally taught. Many of our Year 12 students are now 18 in their final year at school and they hold part time jobs, which means they are required to vote and submit tax returns. Our goal was to implement a short program through our existing Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) time to equip them with some of this knowledge as they embark on their life beyond St Aidan’s.

The workshops have been covering voting, moving out, earning money, self-defence, and car maintenance.

The program has been very well received amongst the Year 12 cohort.

Some of the girls have shared their experience:

“I really enjoyed the SEL “I really enjoyed participating in the moving out workshop during SEL. It was extremely informative and allowed me to consider the different options that are available when leaving home.”

lesson on voting as it is a big and exciting deal for many of us turning 18, so it’s great to have more clarity around how it all works!” Annie 12B Lara 12C

“I really loved learning how to vote! Registering how to vote was something I have been meaning to do but did not know how. We went thought steps and what is needed to apply to vote such as the identification requirements and the importance of voting as women in Australia.” Lilyan 12B

“I really appreciated the moving out workshop because it made me excited for the future and living independently. It taught me that moving out can be fun and exciting rather than something that I’m scared of.” Emily 12D “I had a really insightful experience in learning about basic tyre maintenance. We got to learn how to use a jack and received some vital information on what to do if we ever got a flat tyre on the road! It has made me feel much more confident getting behind the wheel. No need for RACQ!” Lilley 12B

“Having experienced car issues myself, I was excited to see Car Maintenance on the agenda for SEL. This workshop has us physically challenging ourselves to change tyres in emergency-like situations, checking for oil, reinforcing the importance of car servicing. Other than the main takeaway of grimy hands and dirty knees, we all left the workshop with confidence in our ability to manage our cars in unforeseen circumstances.” Tayla 12A

“Moving out was a great session as someone who wishes to move into a campus away from home, it illustrated the ups and down of living out of home, but also brought light to the amazing life experiences that moving out can teach you about yourself and others.”

Paris 12A

Girls’ EMPOWERMENT Project

Deb Koh Teacher & Karen Spiller Fellowship Recipient (2019)

“As recipient of the inaugural Karen Spiller Fellowship, I am extremely grateful for the opportunity and gift of time, resources, and support to devote to a project for which I feel such passion.”