Hearts Connected: Year 2 Bridges the Gap at Millhaven Lodge

The smiles inside Millhaven Lodge this week were bright enough to light up the entire neighborhood. In a heartwarming culmination of their Project-Based Learning (PBL) unit, our Year 2 students paid their last special visit to the lodge for this term, delivering custom care packages that brought tears of joy and grateful smiles from the residents.

This term, our students have been deeply engaged in their PBL topic, "The Bridge Between Us." Guided by the driving question—How can we help others in our community and world to thrive instead of survive?—the children realised that true thriving begins with human connection, empathy, and making sure our elders feel deeply valued.

The care packages were not just random assortments of items; they were acts of pure intentionality. During an initial visit earlier this term, the students interviewed the residents to discover their unique hobbies, favorite colors, and fondest memories. Returning to school, the children got to work crafting personalized items based entirely on those conversations.

Alongside these custom gifts were handwritten letters containing beautiful messages of comfort and hope. Students wrote poignant reminders like "friends make you smile" and "community gives you hope," ensuring every resident understood a vital truth: you are an important, cherished part of our community.

The residents were absolutely delighted by the surprise, marveling at how much the children remembered from their first chat. Through this project, our Year 2s didn’t just learn about community—they actively built a bridge right to the heart of it, proving that you are never too young to help others thrive.

Sonia Vengust - Year 2 Teacher