Campus Ministry

others. I realised that people with dementia were capable of loving life. This changed my perspective on the elderly.”

Many experiences over the three weeks helped Oscar Wray (10.2) to realise that working with the elderly was not boring, but fun and enjoyable. “There was an elderly man who, strangely, always won the bingo game. Everyone presumed he may be cheating, but no one made a fuss. We danced with the elderly ladies, who didn’t have much ability to move, but they had a strong spirit.”

‘Sharing Gifts’ provides opportunities for all Year 11 students to build relationships over five days in an agency of their choice. Serving children with special needs is both challenging and rewarding. Alexander Rossi (11.7) wrote, “I had the biggest impact on the children when I play with them and make them laugh and smile. Different things work for each: one likes reading, the other likes to play fight with claws, one likes to dance and another likes outdoor games. These children can find enjoyment in the smallest things and stay entertained day after day.”

Alessio Cottino (11.7), faced with the severe disabilities of some of the children he served, found that “long and fast wheelchair rides make children laugh and smile, which made me recognise that they can be as happy as any child”.

Even in a regular school environment, Jacob John (11.5) felt most empathy for the students with special needs. “They fall behind fast if not given the help they need and I feel anxious for them missing out on learning opportunities.”

Students’ reflections on what they learnt about themselves from these experiences are always poignant. Luca Rossi (11.6) wrote “Even though they have immense problems and it is hard for them to function, they are still happy – day in, day out. My problems are tiny compared to theirs. They are some of the most courageous and persistent people I know.”

Dimitri Tsagaris’ (11.7) reflection was “I learnt about how children are so inherently innocent and hold a wiser outlook on the world. It is no wonder Jesus praised the mind of a child during his time on Earth”. Working with the elderly also held lessons in life for students. Gabriel Thomas (11.7) shared “I have learnt to be humble and learn from my past mistakes. These are the important values which the elderly residents and the staff communicate to me as I go about serving food and playing card games with them”. Sebastian Ellison (11.7) put it very simply “People shouldn’t stereotype elderly people. They are very smart and have a great sense of humour”. Joseph Dawson (11.1) found great joy in discovering that an elderly man he worked with loved The Beatles music. “When we listened to The Beatles together I could see John go back in his mind and visit moments in his youth, which really gave me a thrill.”

This year, 64 Year 12 students achieved awards for their Senior Project, which is a voluntary program they can choose to complete. Fourteen students had been involved in more than 200 hours of service and Dean LawYimWan (12.7) and Alexander Galante (12.6) each contributed an amazing total of over 400 hours to various charitable programs in their senior years.

At this level, students can communicate how the experience of serving others and building relationships with them can be reflections of the Kingdom of God. Anthony Carbone (12.8) shared an experience on Edmund Rice camps. “A child was sitting to the side of an activity alone and quiet and wouldn’t interact with the other kids. I sat next to her and persevered until she began to talk. She then felt more comfortable and joined in the activity. This is a representation of building the Kingdom of God because I helped to spread God’s love through helping this girl relate with others.”

David Pham’s (12.8) thoughts were “to give yourself to others and to God is fundamental to displaying and involving oneself in selfless acts. In such acts as organising morning tea or setting out chairs, I give back to God. It is through these actions that the love and compassion of God’s Kingdom come alive.

Mrs Marya Stewart

Director of Christian Service