Caroline Springs students Tayla, Jake, Liam and Charmaine, are offering the community a helping hand. 69962 Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI
BY NATALIE GALLENTI
LIFE isn’t easy for all teenagers.
That’s what Caroline Springs Catholic Regional College students are quickly realising through their outreach project.
Teacher Chau Pham said each year the school curriculum involved Year 9 students volunteering within the community.
Ms Pham said the deep and engaged active learning meant students were more aware of the needs of people in the local area.
“They can see the real need that is out there and they can have awareness of their place in the community,” she said.
Year 9 student Jake said working outside the classroom gave him a better understanding of how good his life, and the life of his peers, really was.
“Students take things for granted,” the 14-year-old said.
Jake’s group will volunteer at the Royal Children’s Hospital, where he said he hopes to put a smile on the face of patients.
Charmaine, another Year 9 student, said it was important youngsters gave back to the community that often gave them so much.
The 15-year-old said the project had really opened her eyes to the constant hardship many families faced.
“We are really cushioned,” she said.
“I think it’s important that we realise that other young people are struggling out there.”
