Christian Service

Mrs Marya Stewart Director of Christian Service

Serving our Neighbour in Year 8

What responsibility does a thirteen year old boy have to care about the people who he lives and interacts with every day; in his family, his neighbourhood, his parish and his school?

This is one of the concepts that Year 8 students at Trinity College are asked to explore through the Christian Service program. As a student of a Catholic school in the Edmund Rice tradition, each one of them is challenged to put their faith into action by using their time and energy to help other people in real and practical ways. At the final Middle School Assembly for the year some of the Year 8 students shared their reflections on Christian Service. Nicholas Monisse said, “Helping out around the house may not sound like such a big thing or you might not think it makes a huge difference. Through my Christian service this year I soon learnt that every little thing that you do does make a difference. On one particular occasion I decided to help my Mum out around the house more than usual because she was very busy. I hung out the washing for her, dried dishes, swept, cleaned, cooked dinner and hung out more washing. I found out that doing all these things really did help because my Mum was able to achieve all she wanted. Doing just a little bit more than usual and making a bit more of a contribution can make a big difference overall”. Adam Clarke told us that one of the activities he decided to do, was to go calling for Red Cross with his Mum. This resulted in him getting to know neighbours who he had never even heard of before. The Christian Service project was the most rewarding thing that he accomplished this year. Matthew Richards decided to spend some time at a local aged care facility and he really enjoyed the experience because he knew he was helping someone in need. Playing simple games to help keep the residents mentally and physically active, listening to them sing their favourite childhood songs, or just chatting with them were all fun activities and they even gave a farewell party for him when he left. He experienced sad moments too, such as when he realized one of the residents he had seen every day had passed away when he saw her room all packed up. His final comments were. ”It was kind of sad to be leaving them, I wanted to stay longer. So I plan to go back for another week or two at the end of this year.” Christian Service can teach you many things and Robert Hortin had some interesting thoughts on the program. “One of the main things I have learnt is that even though you think fifteen hours of service takes forever, it doesn’t really. I mean, you spend more time than this playing PS2 or going on the Internet. So when you think about it, it isn’t that long after all and when you spend time with others, nothing feels better than to know you made someone happy”. This year the preparation and reflection process for Christian Service in Year 8 was coordinated by Mr Ray Kosovich who has enthusiastically and efficiently organized the program.

Restoring Relationships in Year 9

Three Year 9 Classes had the opportunity to participate in the “Restoring Relationships” program this year. The program is designed to involve the students in an experience which builds healing relationships between people and with the earth. There are four specific projects. At Cityfarm in East Perth the boys were involved in activities which taught them how they could use natural methods to develop an ecologically sound garden. Environment House organized a program of planting native grasses along the riverbanks at Maylands where they have been eroded away, also weeding out noxious plants. Both these activities were very hands-on experiences of caring for our environment. Another group of students helped out at Tranby Primary School which has a breakfast program run by volunteers, to feed children who otherwise would have very little to eat before school. Trinity boys were able to assist with the preparation and serving of food and to play some games with the children before school. One of the most rewarding projects was “Bears with a Mission.” By the end of the year, eight teddy bears dressed in Trinity colours had been given to people who had suffered some loss or distress in their lives in recent times. Year 9 boys made the final touches, such as knitting straps and sewing on buttons, to the clothing for the bears, which were knitted by a group of very generous parents and friends. Thanks must go to the many staff that have assisted with the Year 9 projects, particularly Ms Kellie Carnaby, Mr Gerard Theseira, Mr Leo Murray, Mr Phil Smith, Mr Paul Presser and Ms Kerrie Fraser.

Christian Service

Christian Service

Sharing Gifts in Year 11

These three comments from the point of view of a student, a parent and a placement supervisor were taken from the journals of students completed during their placement in the last week of Term One. During this term every Year 11 student spent four days caring for the needs of people in schools, hospitals, aged care facilities and support agencies, for people with mental and physical disabilities and other special needs.

“I learnt a very important lesson in my time at the agency: that old people are still people who are valuable members of society, with their own personality. They can’t be placed in one category or excluded from community. It was not the stories they told which were important, it was the realization that these people have stories to tell, personal histories and lives which are very complex just like all people.” “I feel that the Christian Service program is a good thing and has great merit. During the week my son has been able to empathize with children with special needs and been able to help them achieve little goals. This has given him great personal satisfaction but more importantly he has recognized that their needs and wants are just the same as everybody else’s: that is to be heard, appreciated and loved.” “This is a wonderful program which provided us with two young men who displayed respect for all our school community and added a positive and friendly feeling to our school this week”.

India Pilgrims

The nine students who spent a good part of their last summer holidays in India on the seventh Pilgrimage from Trinity College were offered a challenge when they returned, to share their experiences with the Trinity Community and beyond. On numerous occasions this year the India Pilgrims have inspired others with their stories and reflections on their experiences. They have shared with students, staff and the wider public at various forums what it was like to experience the poverty and richness of India. They spoke of caring for orphans, children with disabilities, tending to the sick and dying and their wonder at the generosity, hospitality and joy of the poorest of people who they met. Their presentations have helped to encourage the school community to continue to give generously to the Indian Missions.

Senior Project

In 2005 there were fifty four students in Year 12 who participated in the Senior Project. The minimum requirement for this Christian Service project is forty hours of service in direct contact with people in need, completed in the student’s own time. Fourteen of these students received full colours having given over one hundred hours of service in direct contact with people who have special needs, as well as many hours of service to the school community. Christian Service engages students in doing things for others but it is the relationships which grow from this, that are most important. It is wonderful to see so many of our students taking the opportunity to grow as disciples of Christ, witnessing to their faith through actions which build relationships, especially with those who are poor or marginalized in our society.

Edmund Rice Outreach

Throughout 2005 a group of enthusiastic and energetic students from Years 9 -12 have been involved in the Edmund Rice Outreach group. The group hosted a Harmony Day event at the College for refugee families from the Edmund Rice Centre. They coordinated the Winter Appeal for St Vincent de Paul and had a stall to raise funds for the Indian Missions on Unfair Day. One night a week of the school term, members of the group are rostered on the Red Cross Soup Patrol. Group members also attended and assisted at various programs such as the Landmines Awareness Seminar and the Edmund Rice Centre for Social Justice Workshop. Members have also volunteered to help out with school and community functions during the year. Edmund Rice Outreach has been led by a group of Year 12 students whose commitment and enthusiasm has been a great example to the younger members. Matthew Cain, Janek O’Toole, Michael Maynard, Shane Gonsalves, Joseph Ryan, Tom Shuker, Daniel Scivolo, Cahal Di Gregorio and Long Pham, particularly have made an outstanding contribution. The assistance of Ms Kellie Carnaby, from Edmund Rice Camps for Kids, with the group this year was also much appreciated.

Mrs Marya Stewart

Director of Christian Service

Amnesty International

Edmund Rice

EDMUND RICE OUTREACH GROUP

Back row: Joseph Ryan, Janek O’Toole, Shaun Dee, Thomas Shuker, Benjamin O’Dea, Gianni Di Giovanni, Gerald Lillywhite, Daniel Jenkins Third row: Kristian Ostle, Rohan Bose, Joshua Hicks, Matthew Cain, Daniel Scivolo, Joshua D’Souza, David Parkinson, Shane Gonsalves, Melvinderjeet Mohar Second row: Henry Nguyen, Vincenzo Nici, Daniel Tan, Michael Maynard, Brian Nimbalker, Cahal Di Gregorio, Dean Savage-Morton, Benjamin Caddy, Long Pham, Mrs Marya Stewart Front row: Daniel Randazzo, John Marshall, Joshua Bauer, Brendan Morphett, Christopher Watson, Jacob Sinagra, Alexander Malkovic, Gerard Rosario, Benjamin Tomasi

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

Back row: David Gardiner, Adam Simonette, Shaun Dee, Peter Villanueva, Gianni Di Giovanni, Janek O’Toole Third row: Daniel Scivolo, Matthew Cain, Timothy Pass, Joshua Hicks, Stephen Morphett, Michael Maynard Second row: David Parkinson, Shane Gonsalves, Melvinderjeet Mohar, Rohan Bose, Daniel Tan, Nathan Colli,

Mr Leo Murray

Front row: Benjamin Tomasi, Nicholas Mountain, Gerard Rosario, Benjamin Caddy, Long Pham, Alexander Malkovic, Benn Papalia, Anthony Messina

Christian Service