CPDA Year10 Introductory Program Explained

Christian Personal Development Award, which is for Year 11 & 12 students, is an attempt to help students to see the need to be proactive about personal development. The Certificate, through its structures and processes, hopes to bring together the many personal development opportunities open to students. By collating the possibilities and recording the student’s participation in them, students will be able to have a record of their Personal Development in the form of a certificate. There are four categories that students must consider: Action of Mercy and Justice/ Community Service; Spiritual Development; Physical Development; Other Cultural Activities. The Certificate is presented to the student at the end of Year 12. At Year 10 level the students are introduced to the Award with a week of activities.

The Introductory Program at Year 10 runs opposite Work Experience and makes the connections for the students. On Monday and Tuesday students are taken on an overnight retreat to consider the corporal works of mercy: feeding the hungry, giving a drink to the thirsty, welcoming the stranger, clothing the naked and visiting the sick and those in prison. This is considered both physically and figuratively, for at stages we all hunger and thirst and feel imprisoned. This experience leads to an encounter with the homeless of Melbourne through the “Big Issue” organisation and noticing those who are making a difference for the needy in our nearest capital city. The experience of volunteering shows students that they too can easily lend a hand up. On the day at school personal physical development supported by human movement students from Federation University and recreational activities were experienced as part of a fuller understanding personal improvement. The final day is an experience of volunteering on Earth Care or Social Justice / Community Service.

This all transpires through the generosity of staff members who support the various programs.