Year 10 Social Justice Program

We have a powerful potential in our youth, and we must have courage to change old ideas and practices so that we direct their power to good end.

These are some inspiring words spoken by Mary McLeod Bethune (1875-1955), an African American civil rights activist, womanist, philanthropist and humanitarian who imagined and worked for a better world. This quote is a powerful reminder of the way that the young adults whom we teach, can be some of the most wonderful human beings who also want to help make our world a better place! And during this year’s Year 10 Social Justice Program, we witnessed just how thoughtful, engaged and interested these Year 10’s were in working towards being agents of change.

The theme of “Let me be as Christ to you” served as a reminder that our foundation as a school, calls for us to show love and compassion as Jesus did, and that this first begins with noticing and being aware of where in our world, there is injustice. As Jesus did, so must we do! His compassion, and also unwavering commitment to justice, meant that he provides for us, a model of how to love our neighbour with the same dignity and respect that we show to ourselves and those who are our family and friends.

Year 10 began the program by listening to, and learning from Uncle Roger, a Stolen Generations survivor who was taken from his mother at a very young age and lived at Kinchela Boys’ Home. Uncle Roger spoke about the harsh and cruel realities of his time there. He also spoke about his hope for all of us living here in Australia, that we can be a more reconciled people because of our common and shared humanity.

Florence Furness (Year 10) recounts beautifully what the talk from Uncle Roger meant to her:

“Year 10 was left feeling appalled as Uncle Roger described the hardships that Indigenous Australian boys faced, educating us and shining a light on not just the history of Indigenous People in Australia, but a personal story, from the mouth of a person who faced it. His words, “I don’t know why they made us do it, but they did” made my heart sink. It was such a valuable experience to be able to reflect on what Australia’s First Nations People have faced. At the end of Uncle Roger’s story, we were given the opportunity to ask him any questions we had. This was such a privilege, to be able to hear personal answers on a topic from someone who survived it. Uncle Roger’s story evoked not only the largest amount, but the most thoughtful and genuinely curious questions I’ve heard from my year group. I think the whole of Year 10 feels so lucky to have got this experience and we are so grateful to Uncle Roger for being brave enough to share such a powerful story with us.”

Year 10 were just as thoughtful and interested when they met with two survivors from the Rwanda Genocide in a program called Kumva and Kwibuka, which means to listen and learn. Hearing form Yvonne and Lambert about their experience of being refugees and finding safety and a life in Australia was moving and a reminder that we are citizens of a global world, and our responsibility is to all of humanity. The students’ questions were just as powerful as they were for Uncle Roger.

I am so proud of Year 10 and the way that they were prepared to listen and learn. They have been such a credit to the school, and to their year group and when they cooked at Our Big Kitchen in Bondi on the last day of the program, they showed that they really do want to help make the world a better place. Throughout the program, Year 10 have been willing to have difficult and hard conversations, bring energy and enthusiasm to the OBK and Yatimba dance activities and be some of the most inspiring and thoughtful young adults that have participated in the social justice program. Well done and thank you, Year 10. You really have shown us what it means to be “like Christ”.

Finally, I would like to thank all the teachers and staff who helped to make this program possible. Ms Marie Salakas delivered an informative and well considered seminar on our obligations as a nation to refugees and asylum seekers that enabled the students to ask as many questions about this, so that they could be informed about this social justice issue. Furthermore, without the help of Ms Eloise Ford, Ms Lidia Simpson, Ms Angela Pizzinga, Mr Paddy Molloy, Ms Agnes Hoareau and Mr Vic Woolley the program would not have been so successful. It was a successful program as Year 10 reflected to the community that they are people who care deeply about their world and want to help make it a more just place for all.

Dynielle Whitney
Head of Religious Education