Human Society and its Environment (HSIE) students have been visiting the retirement village since the beginning of term two as part of their work education syllabus, which explores post-school pathways. 

Students have partnered with residents and are interviewing each of them with the hopes of developing their stories into a book to be published later this year.

Teacher Chantal Bradshaw said the class had learned not only interesting facts about the residents but also about themselves in the process. 

“The students are learning far more than they first expected,” Ms Bradshaw said. 

“Students have become connected to the residents and have shown empathy and some students have been able to connect with their own relatives at the Manor. 

“They are learning communication skills as some of the residents have hearing or speaking impairments so the students have to modify their communication techniques to suit. 

“Students also get a feel for volunteering and the aged care industry.” 

Students planned questions to ask, wrote draft stories and then shared their drafts with the residents.

Ms Bradshaw was impressed with how the students stepped up to the task of retelling the tales. 

“Some students were initially hesitant as many do not have grandparents or elderly relatives that they communicate with regularly so this was an unfamiliar experience,” she said. 

“Allowing the students to divert from their original questions was a challenge but I found they had so many other questions they wanted answered. 

“They also wanted more time to share stories.

“This type of community engagement is really important for this generation of students.”