Out And About
LEAD Class Excursion -
BIG ISSUE & STREAT
On the Wednesday 29 March I went up to Melbourne with the rest of the Year 9 LEAD class. We visited two social enterprises (The Big Issue and STREAT).
We first went to the Big Issue where we were given a talk about homelessness and what The Big Issue does to help. I learnt that there are many homeless people in Australia than I first thought as homelessness is not just your stereotypical old man on the street. Homeless people could be couch surfers or be living in abandoned buildings or boarding houses. As well as this we got an explanation on marginalization. I learnt so much more about homeless people and now I have a whole new respect for them. Now, whenever I see one, I will try to help in any way I can whether its giving some spare change or even just saying hello.
The next non-profit business we went to was STREAT which has the best chicken Caesar wraps. The manager gave us a talk on what they do to help homeless individuals. How STREAT works is that they employ homeless people and give them training. The course that they complete helps out their life skills, social skills and even gives them a good knowledge of barista work. STREAT doesn't just give the homeless a job, they give them a future, a chance at a better life ahead. Onene nifty thing they had was a sign that said "minutes of training provided today" which was hooked up to a button. Whenever someone ordered a coffee they could press the button and it would add three to the tally on the sign. I learnt a lot about homelessness from these two social enterprises and what I can do to help. Now I can tell my family what I know and maybe they could spread to word to help make others more aware about the truth of homelessness. I was glad to go on this adventure as it taught me so much. Many thanks to Mrs Sarah Bahramis and Miss Andrea Carron for attending the excursion.
By Christopher Tang, Year 9
On Wednesday 29 March our class travelled by train to Melbourne to visit some social enterprises that we had been studying in class. Our first stop was the Big Issue.
When we arrived we waited a little in the foyer and then we made our way into the presentation space. We all took our seats and the presenters Melissa and Julian spoke to us about their business and how it started and much more, it was so fascinating. After they had spoken to us for about an hour and a half they asked for any questions and one of the students asked how can we help, they responded with the advice to share our awareness of The Big Issue and buy a magazine from any of the venders in the streets. As they were about to finish our workshop, two LEAD students spoke about how we ran a food stall at the Parent Student Teacher Conference day and that we had raised $755.45. Their smiles brightened the whole room and it made everyone so happy and thankful for the rest of the day. Our time at The Big Issue was so inspirational. Thank you to the school community for supporting our food stall.
After the big issue we made our way to STREAT where we sat and had either a drink or something to eat then Dave, the manager and coincidentally a graduate from Frankston High School, spoke to us about their non for profit organisation, which was so amazing to sit and listen to. It's so great that people in our world want to make a difference and change how we've grown up. They give disadvantaged people a chance to have a better life too. Overall this day just made me think about my actions and that I should be doing anything I can to help others even if they aren't disadvantaged for the sake of doing a good deed rather than because I have to.
By Chelsea Morris, Year 9
On Wednesday 29 March 2017 the Semester 1 LEAD class explored through the city on an ultimate social enterprise scavenger hunt!
Everyone enjoyed themselves, we experienced opportunities that we normally don’t get in everyday life, it inspired us all and it definitely inspired me, to think about how grateful I should be of my life and appreciate it and not take things for granted. Meeting all these inspiring leaders made me think of how I could change for the better, like if walking through the city, maybe stop and buy a big issue, or instead of buying popular branded foods, buy food where we know where it is coming from or we know that the people who created this product is getting a fair share of the profits.
Julian who was the man who spoke to us as the Big Issue was absolutely inspiring. He told us his journey of how he became "homeless" while at primary school and how he was able to cope with it and find a way to stay happy and how he constantly reminded himself of how things are bound to get better for him. His story really touched my heart.
By Leanne Smith, Year 9