In collaboration with Behavioural Science students from the University of Notre Dame, Year 5 and 6 South Thornlie Primary School students have recently participated in workshops focused on social justice principles and the effects they can have.
In an effort to develop a socially responsive school, students discussed topics of equity, respect, self-determination, diversity, and inclusion, exploring these concepts on both personal and collective levels.
This learning was brought to life through the Helping Hands project, which involved creating a mural of hands to illustrate kindness and empathy, effectively applying social justice principles within the community.
Associate Program Coordinator of Behavioural Science at the University of Notre Dame, Sarah Gaudieri, said the initiative is mutually beneficial to all students.
“We have collaborated with South Thornlie Primary School to create internship opportunities for our students to apply their knowledge of social justice and wellbeing to the education sector,” she said.
“Behavioural Science is a critical psychology program which enables students to consider particular issues and applications of social justice on individual and relational wellbeing.”
As part of the social justice project, students took part in “The First Responders Project,” which involved learning about the roles and responsibilities of first responders, focusing on community service and participation.
Year 5 and 6 students also created a Gratitude Book for the Maddington Fire and Rescue team, writing thoughtful letters to the firefighters to acknowledge their valuable contributions to the community and, in turn, participate in giving back to the community in their own way.
Following the creation of the gratitude books, the firefighters from Maddington Fire and Rescue visited the school for an incursion focusing on sharing information about their roles and how their work impacts the community.
At the incursion, firefighters answered social justice-focused questions from the students, discussing coping strategies, teamwork rewards, and the impact of their service roles, and were presented with the Gratitude Books.
Students then had the opportunity to safely use a firefighting hose during a practical session.
School Principal Megan Barnett praised the program and the student’s engagement.
“We thank the firefighters from Maddington Fire and Rescue for taking time to share their experiences and educate the students on fire safety,” she said.
“We were very proud of the way the students conducted themselves during the incursion.”
