Understanding Identity

Trinity College Year 9 students had the privilege to participate in a series of activities and presentations led by Gerald Pol for the PBL program that highlighted the term’s focus on human rights.

Gerard’s presentation centred around understanding identity, with a particular focus on belonging. Gerard, who is proudly Noongar and Karajarri, shared their story of growing up in a small Western Australian country town and the struggles they experienced through their young life. 

Students then took part in two activities, the first being called ‘Shades of Deadly’. In this activity students explored First Nation identities and their ways of being, knowing, thinking and doing by highlighting the many ways they exist. In the second activity, ‘Colouring the Rainbow’, students were able to explore LGBTQIA+ identities and discuss how we all exist in diverse ways and look at the common threads we can share with our own personal identities and ways of being. The aim of this activity was to bring greater awareness to students about LGBTQIA+ peoples and what students can do to be more responsive and inclusive.

The students were able to take a great deal of learning from this fascinating session that highlights the College's values of inclusivity, social justice and respect for human dignity. As a Catholic school, we believe in the inestimable worth of every human individual as each is made in the image of God and is a reflection of God's goodness. Human rights' issues are an important aspect of our loving and kind faith community and we thank Gerard for sharing their experience with us and helping to facilitate these incredible learning experiences for our Year 9 students. They will continue to explore the topic of human rights for the rest of the term, with the goal to present a project focussing on a particular area that interests them.

Caide Robertson

Year 9 Coordinator