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Every fortnight Fintona’s Year 9 students switch their uniform for jeans, hoodies and sneakers and head off-campus, into the city.
They are following in the footsteps of generations of Fintonians before them by participating in the Connections Program – which aims to connect students with their wider community, through city-based experiential learning and community activities such as volunteering, fundraising, work experience and cultural initiatives.
In 2025, Fintona proudly celebrates the 30th anniversary of this pioneering program – a cornerstone of the Year 9 experience that has shaped generations of students into thoughtful, independent, and community-minded young women.
When Fintona introduced the program in 1995, the school was certainly ahead of its time – the focus on social awareness, community service, and sense of belonging through out-of-school experiences wasn’t yet widespread in Australian girls’ schools. While the program has evolved, its legacy lives on: connecting students with the world outside the classroom.
A Vision Born from Listening
The origins of the Connections Program trace back to the early 1990s, when staff responded to a growing sense of disengagement among Year 9 students. These students questioned the relevance of traditional schoolwork to real-world experiences and future careers. In response, Fintona launched the SNOOP Program
– Simply Not Ordinary Programmes, in 1995 and later renamed the Connections Program, which aimed to expand students’ horizons through creative, cooperative, and practical learning experiences.
From its inception, SNOOP emphasised values such as integrity, collaboration, self-confidence, self-awareness, reliability, responsibility, leadership, and self acceptance. Faculty-led activity days blended disciplines in imaginative ways – like combining mathematics and the arts to create advertising campaigns, or exploring local suburbs through historical and economic lenses during the popular Magical Mystery Art Tour.
Building Character Through Experience
By 2005, students were exploring new environments, engaging with diverse communities, and learning critical life skills – from media literacy to first aid. Today, students are given access to organisations that work with refugees and the homeless. They navigate Melbourne’s inner city, interact with people from all walks of life, and engage in community service. They explore Australia’s rich cultural tapestry – from Indigenous heritage to the stories of Chinese immigrants – and confront contemporary social challenges through meaningful conversations and hands-on experiences.
Guest speakers like Bill Armstrong, Director of the Overseas Bureau, inspired students to live actively and compassionately. Indeed, they are challenged to build a lifelong plan for volunteerism and support vulnerable people through community service.
The Heart of the Program: Independence and Community
What sets the Connections Program apart is its dual focus on independent thinking and interpersonal growth. Students learn to navigate the city in small groups beyond their friendship circles, gaining confidence and resilience and developing new approaches to teamwork.
They develop a nuanced understanding of community – its history, its diversity, and its impact on the environment. Through these experiences, students don’t just learn about the world – they learn how to contribute to it. One student reflected, ‘We’ve learned much about our environment, community and ourselves. Working with girls outside our friendship groups has been a most rewarding experience.’
Looking Ahead
As we celebrate 30 years of the Connections Program, we honour the vision of the educators who listened, innovated, and created a program that continues to empower young women.
The legacy of Connections is evident in every student who has walked through its journey – more aware, more capable, and more connected to the world around them. Here’s to the next 30 years of inspiring growth, fostering empathy, and building bridges between learning and life.
