Year 9 Impact Program - Social Issue Rotations
Sarah O’Neill and Ellie-Peach Morley
Year 9 Student Leaders
Over the past few weeks, the Year 9s have been participating in Social Issue Rotations.
Each House visited different places to explore the importance of the social topics that we've been working on throughout the Impact Program.
These experiences have provided invaluable insights into the difficulties faced by various communities and highlighted ways we can contribute to meaningful change.
BIG ISSUE MAGAZINE
One of the social issues we explored was homelessness, through The Big Issue Magazine. The Big Issue provides employment opportunities for people experiencing homelessness.
We were fortunate to hear from a guest speaker who shared their personal journey with homelessness. Their eye-opening story shed light on the many challenges faced by those without stable housing, highlighting the strength and resilience needed to overcome such adversity.
This rotation deepened our understanding of homelessness, showing us that it is far more than simply sleeping on the streets. It involves complex issues, including the significant societal stigma that homeless people often face. We left with a heightened sense of empathy and a stronger desire to contribute to creating positive change.
INLIFE
Another key focus was disability awareness, which we explored through a visit to InLife, a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting people with disabilities in living independently.
During our visit, we gained a deeper understanding of the daily challenges faced by individuals with disabilities and how organisations like InLife provide essential support.
Hearing real-life experiences helped us appreciate the importance of accessibility, inclusion and advocacy in creating an equitable society.
ASYLUM SEEKER RESOURCE CENTRE (ASRC)
As one of our Year 9 charities, the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) plays a crucial role in providing support and advocacy for asylum seekers in Australia.
During our visit to their Footscray facility, we listened to powerful stories from individuals who had sought safety in Australia. Their resilience in the face of immense hardship was both humbling and inspiring, offering us a new perspective on the struggles faced by asylum seekers.
We also toured the ASRC, gaining insight into the comprehensive support they provide —including a medical centre, legal services, a supermarket, and a community dining hall where daily meals are served to those in need.
With much of the work driven by volunteers, the ASRC creates a welcoming and supportive space for asylum seekers and refugees seeking safety and stability.
INDIGENOUS LITERACY FOUNDATION
Our final rotation focused on the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF), which works to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in gaining access to books and educational resources. ILF plays a vital role in ensuring children in remote communities have the opportunity to develop literacy skills in both English and their first language.
Through this session, we not only learned about the history of Indigenous Australians but also about the ongoing impact of intergenerational trauma. This experience deepened our empathy and reinforced the importance of equal access to education for all.
Each of the social issues we explored were equally important and inspired us to create a positive change in the world. By understanding these issues, we will be able to create our own social enterprises for our chosen topic.