Year 9 Connections

Through the Connections program, students learn about the important contributions individuals can make as active citizens.

Students build an ethos of working together, learning about themselves, their community and their environment. Experience-based and city-site learning helps to establish intercultural understanding and understanding of each student’s own personal and social capability.

Connecting with communities

Students travel to the city where they engage in various community activities and become familiar with important cultural, architectural and social landmarks of Melbourne.

Students are given access to organisations that work with refugees and the homeless. They are encouraged to challenge their views and perceptions to develop empathy and compassion. This understanding of community is directed towards how students can give back and assist others. Students are also challenged to build a lifelong plan for volunteerism and support vulnerable people through community service.

A sense of belonging

The program encourages greater responsibility for independent learning, reasoning in decision-making, and resilience. They work in different groups beyond their immediate friendship circles, developing new approaches to teamwork and a new sense of belonging with their peers through these experiences.

Personal growth

Connections is designed to develop personal growth and maturity. On reflection, students often comment on how the program has helped them empathise with others, think about their role in our society, encourage them to give of themselves, and enjoy the experience of spending time with friends exploring their city.