Purpose Project

Since 2024, we have been running the Purpose Project for our Year 10 students during the second last week of Term 2. Purpose Project provides students with time and space to better understand who God has created them to be, explore future opportunities beyond DCC and develop skills that are relevant to the real world.

At the project launch, Jay Sawyer, Urban Life Community Minister, passionately shared with our students that God cares deeply about their future. He explained that from a young age, God writes a story on our hearts that helps shape who we are and the work we are called to do.

Jay reminded students that, “Sometimes we are focused on the do, do, do and that becomes our identity.” He challenged them to “block out the noise and listen to what God is doing in us right now. The story He is writing on our heart is our vocation.”

The Purpose Project aims to give students the opportunity to explore their interests, strengths, and possible career pathways. Using insights from their Morrisby (a careers advice and guidance tool) profiles, students investigate occupations and pathways that may suit them, while also considering what the world needs and how their gifts and talents could contribute meaningfully to others.

Armed with this understanding, students plan and design their own Purpose Project. This process encourages student agency by empowering them to take ownership of their learning, make decisions, and actively shape their educational journey. Over the six-day project, students are given a genuine voice, choice and responsibility for their learning.

Behind every successful project is extensive planning and preparation. During their CELLS classes, students develop and map out their unique project before bringing it to life. Along the way, they navigate a range of logistics, administration tasks, and deadlines. For families whose children have completed the Purpose Project, you will know how much support and encouragement is often required throughout this process. We sincerely thank parents and carers for the important role they play in helping students turn their ideas into reality.

There is certainly a lot of "doing" involved in bringing each project to life. However, when students reflect on their experiences afterwards, many speak about how valuable it was to learn outside the traditional classroom setting. Work experience placements are a popular choice, and for many students, these experiences play a significant role in shaping their post-school aspirations and future pathways.

We are currently meeting with our Year 12 students, the first cohort to participate in the Purpose Project, and it has been encouraging to hear how many still refer to their work experience placements and key moments of learning from the project. These experiences have helped shape their plans for life beyond school and influenced the decisions they are making about their future.

Our prayer is that every student who participates in the Purpose Project not only gains a deeper understanding of themselves and the world of work but also grows in their understanding of who God has created them to be. We hope they recognise that God cares deeply for their future and continues to write a story on their hearts that will guide and shape them in the years ahead.