Year 10 were privileged to have Gen Bryant and Team join them on Monday 15 May for their retreat experience. Hosted at the DEC, we were challenged with the theme “Our Call to Justice” and what that means as a faith community, and how we can implement social justice personally. The day included music, keynote speeches and discussions about our ability to influence the world around us for good. Students had many opportunities to engage with the topic and build relationships with their peers.

Following the retreat day the Year 10s travelled to Melbourne with social justice in mind to explore the importance of helping our neighbour. They were introduced to a range of services and social enterprises that respond to the social inequality experienced in Melbourne.

Students visited The Big Issue classroom where they heard from two presenters, one of whom had experienced homelessness. Students participated in an activity where they had to put a puzzle together, but most groups faced some barrier to participation: whether it be discouraging words, distorted images, or other invisible barriers. This emphasised that we may not always know if someone is on the margins – something that the students had now become more aware of. Students also considered what homelessness looks like in an effort to combat stereotypes, learning that 44% of homeless people are women, and a good proportion of them are homeless as a result of fleeing domestic violence.

Whilst in the city, students had the opportunity to visit other locations to gain a better understanding of the marginalised and the challenges they face. Many students noted the wealth disparity made clear in Hosier Lane, where a number of people had made shelters in the alcoves, next to a “Culture Kings” high-end boutique clothing shop. They questioned how such luxury could be located amidst such visible poverty. Students returned to school with a renewed empathy with the marginalised and a desire to make a difference in their local communities.