Grandparents go back to school

West Gippsland Trader August 13th 2015

St Paul’s Year 9 students at the unique Miller’s Factory Year 9 Centre recently hosted ‘Grandparents Day’ where more than 300 people attended and were served tea and scones while students showcased their heritage display projects.

The day was a way for the students to portray to grandparents and parents what they had learnt from their family history research which was a part of the specialised Year 9 ‘Thinking and Learning’ unit.

The event began with video displays of students conducting interviews with their Grandparents on what it was like when they grew up and how they perceived the world to have changed over the years.

Students had created ‘Heritage Displays’ as a part of their family history learning project.

Proud Grandparents looked on as their grandchildren showed them their final family history project pieces that involved many hours and effort.

The Year 9s also recently completed their ‘Millerville’ experience where the students presented a viable financial plan and budget for an imaginary family and concluded the unit with a series of mock weddings.

With a focus on developing autonomy, independence, personal and social responsibility and fostering resilience, the Year 9s also participate in a Personal Development Program with a three day City Camp at a youth hostel in North Melbourne whilst traversing the city by public transport in groups of three, a five day Outdoor Education Camp where they have the choice from mountain biking, rafting, bushwalking and sea-kayaking, a career development unit complete with mock job interviews and ‘giving back’ to the community sessions.