Year 8 Sleep Out

On the 28th and 29th of November, Year 8 participated in the Year 8 Sleep Out, an event designed to encourage us to develop an understanding and empathise with the conditions and struggles of those sleeping rough and experiencing homelessness.

Teachers from different subject areas designed the Sleep Out program, teaching students about homelessness throughout the world, different causes and degrees of homelessness, ways to be empathetic toward homeless people and how homelessness can be reduced. This experience was nurturing while also being informative and allowed students to gain a new perspective on people facing homelessness lives on both a local and global scale.

We participated in various activities over the two days, such as the walk for water, which shone a spotlight on the 2 billion people without access to safely managed drinking water services, and Ms Ryan and Mr Carritt’s ‘Education Game’ that informed us of the difficulties experienced by those immigrating to Australia with a lower proficiency in English. Over the course of the two days, we were provided with limited, simple food, which, although more than many homeless people receive, allowed us to gain insight into the struggles of nutritional and physical nourishment on a low budget.

This experience was very immersive and enlightening, helping Year 8 students gain a new perspective on people facing homelessness lives in societies throughout the world and Australia, and we find ourselves with greatly enhanced empathy, knowledge and respect for those struggling with homelessness. Overall, the grade has raised almost $18 000 in support of those experiencing homelessness. We were all really happy to go home and have a shower and something to eat at the end of the experience!

Kiyasha Chakraborty, Grace Nguyen, Elizabeth Ung, Evie Cairns, Devika Warrier & Avivi Davidson