Sometimes you need to go back [to school] to go forward...
Yesterday I went on a school excursion.
Literally.
I was replacing my boss at a function run by Melbourne Cares (www.melbournecares.org.au) - it was the first of a series of community insight events they are running, where they take prospective and current supporters out to visit one of the organisations they have been working with, ostensibly to gain a better understanding of how their programs work, and hopefully to lure in prospective supporters once they can see the tangible benefits Melbourne Cares makes.
So, I boarded a 'school bus' with assorted other high flyers (I'm pretending I'm my boss here...)and off we went to Bayside Secondary College, in Altona. Once there we split into pairs and were shown around by the students.
Now - those on here who know me to various extents can verify, but I consider myself...sensitive, but a realist I guess. There was no way I could have prepared myself for the emotional reaction that this visit provoked in me.
Firstly, the school was appallingly rundown. Attending a private school, and having a vague concept that public schools probably had somewhat lesser facilities seemed like an understatement. Though someone from Dept. of Education and Training who was on the tour did say this school was far below average, I was still shocked at how old and border-line dilapidated some/most of the buildings were. It made me feel like I have lived a lot of my life in a bubble, and that I'm a lot more sheltered than I probably realise - and a lot more privileged.
Secondly - the multiculturalism of this school was phenomenal. Everyone who spoke about it mentioned it, and the students (the four who took us around were all of different ethnicities) told me about their annual Peace Day, where they have performances from all the different cultural sections and all the students contribute to a gigantic art piece that explores the idea of peace and they generally celebrate all their different cultures. It really was fantastic to see an example of multiculturalism that went far beyond a euphemism. This school set an example of how diverse groups can coexist harmoniously - I mean one of the girls showing me around was wearing a hajib, yet in the next breath was telling me how she wanted to open her own business with her sister. Extremely fucking switched on kids.
It was almost surreal, walking around with these 14 and 15 year olds who were so interested to know how I got where I was, did I have goals when I was at high school, and what my salary was (lol). I had to ask them to repeat the last question as I was a little taken aback albeit refreshed by their honesty, but another reality check was in store when I answered it - and their mouths dropped (I don't think I earn very much!). The weird thing was, walking around and joking with them, I didn't feel much older than them. It began to freak me out when I calculated I had a decade on them. Was it so long ago that my life was ruled by teachers, friends and occasionally detention? I felt as if I was ready to have a waterfight at lunch time, or sit down and gossip with my 'group'. Sometimes I think I'm not ready to grow up yet.
We listened to some presentations on how Melbourne Cares has helped this school and others by linking them up with a corporate partner - who rather than just signing a cheque over (can public schools accept that anyway?) they mentor and help the school in areas like leadership, marketing, management skills, conflict resolution - over an extended period. To me this sounds invaluable, and provides a far more sustainable benefit than a cash flux.
The entire day was extremely inspiring. I have thought for a while that I would like to be involved in community work - I used to do stuff like help out at a camp for disabled kids, which I really enjoyed, but of late I've strugged to think of a cause that I would be really passionate about. Today presented that on a platter - facilitating education, something that is fundamentally important to me. I'm certain this is where I want to help out - I just need to convince my stupid work to become a member so that I CAN help out!
Literally.
I was replacing my boss at a function run by Melbourne Cares (www.melbournecares.org.au) - it was the first of a series of community insight events they are running, where they take prospective and current supporters out to visit one of the organisations they have been working with, ostensibly to gain a better understanding of how their programs work, and hopefully to lure in prospective supporters once they can see the tangible benefits Melbourne Cares makes.
So, I boarded a 'school bus' with assorted other high flyers (I'm pretending I'm my boss here...)and off we went to Bayside Secondary College, in Altona. Once there we split into pairs and were shown around by the students.
Now - those on here who know me to various extents can verify, but I consider myself...sensitive, but a realist I guess. There was no way I could have prepared myself for the emotional reaction that this visit provoked in me.
Firstly, the school was appallingly rundown. Attending a private school, and having a vague concept that public schools probably had somewhat lesser facilities seemed like an understatement. Though someone from Dept. of Education and Training who was on the tour did say this school was far below average, I was still shocked at how old and border-line dilapidated some/most of the buildings were. It made me feel like I have lived a lot of my life in a bubble, and that I'm a lot more sheltered than I probably realise - and a lot more privileged.
Secondly - the multiculturalism of this school was phenomenal. Everyone who spoke about it mentioned it, and the students (the four who took us around were all of different ethnicities) told me about their annual Peace Day, where they have performances from all the different cultural sections and all the students contribute to a gigantic art piece that explores the idea of peace and they generally celebrate all their different cultures. It really was fantastic to see an example of multiculturalism that went far beyond a euphemism. This school set an example of how diverse groups can coexist harmoniously - I mean one of the girls showing me around was wearing a hajib, yet in the next breath was telling me how she wanted to open her own business with her sister. Extremely fucking switched on kids.
It was almost surreal, walking around with these 14 and 15 year olds who were so interested to know how I got where I was, did I have goals when I was at high school, and what my salary was (lol). I had to ask them to repeat the last question as I was a little taken aback albeit refreshed by their honesty, but another reality check was in store when I answered it - and their mouths dropped (I don't think I earn very much!). The weird thing was, walking around and joking with them, I didn't feel much older than them. It began to freak me out when I calculated I had a decade on them. Was it so long ago that my life was ruled by teachers, friends and occasionally detention? I felt as if I was ready to have a waterfight at lunch time, or sit down and gossip with my 'group'. Sometimes I think I'm not ready to grow up yet.
We listened to some presentations on how Melbourne Cares has helped this school and others by linking them up with a corporate partner - who rather than just signing a cheque over (can public schools accept that anyway?) they mentor and help the school in areas like leadership, marketing, management skills, conflict resolution - over an extended period. To me this sounds invaluable, and provides a far more sustainable benefit than a cash flux.
The entire day was extremely inspiring. I have thought for a while that I would like to be involved in community work - I used to do stuff like help out at a camp for disabled kids, which I really enjoyed, but of late I've strugged to think of a cause that I would be really passionate about. Today presented that on a platter - facilitating education, something that is fundamentally important to me. I'm certain this is where I want to help out - I just need to convince my stupid work to become a member so that I CAN help out!