Friendships and life experiences are being shared in a heart-warming project that brings together Year 1 students from Clyde Grammar and residents of a local retirement village.
Year 1 students from Clyde Grammar and a group of elderly ladies from Botanic Ridge Retirement Living have made Mother’s Day cards together, played games to build mathematical skills, enjoyed a wildlife incursion and even handled a python and talked about what going to school was like many years ago.
Along the way, they have also swapped life stories, laughed, and built some touching and lasting friendships.
Inspired by the TV series, Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds, the idea to bring together the young students and the group of elderly women was initiated by Clyde Grammar teacher Deanne Bourke.
“After watching Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds I was inspired by the bonds that developed between the children and older people,” Deanne said.
Botanic Ridge Retirement Living manager Wade Farnsworth threw his support behind the idea and a group of residents in their 60s, 70s and 80s volunteered to meet with the Year 1 students from Clyde Grammar.
The residents and students now meet throughout each term.
“On the very first visit from the residents, I walked around the room watching the children engaging so eagerly with the ladies. One of the ladies stopped me and said, ‘I just love this’, and it made the whole process so worthwhile,” Deanne recalled.
“To see everyone – young and old – getting to know one another warmed my heart.
“The idea is that the children and the older people learn from each other and enjoy each other’s company. I cannot tell you how excited the children have been when they find out the ladies are visiting.
“They’ve learned to show respect to older people, and their innocence and the questions the students ask the ladies always make us smile!”
As well as arts and crafts and games, the elderly visitors and the children have celebrated Book Week and a disco together.
The residents joined the children’s wildlife incursion, too, and were equally excited to see crocodiles, snakes, kookaburras and sugar gliders.
The residents have also helped students with their classwork as they have been studying ‘how things change over time’.
The two generations compared their own school memories and experiences in the classroom and how much school lunches have changed through the decades.
“I think this experience has changed the children’s perception of older people and it’s been lovely to see how easily the children talk to the ladies. They have no qualms at all about asking them questions or even asking for a hug,” Deanne said.
“I think the ladies have also enjoyed seeing how much the children actually enjoy their company.”
Clyde Grammar principal Leanne Evans said the idea to bridge the generation gap had been hugely successful and rewarding for everyone involved.
“The days when the ladies from Botanic Ridge Retirement Living visit their friends in Year 1 are very special days at Clyde Grammar,” she said.
“Everyone looks forward to catching up with each other and sharing their news and stories, and the memories that are being made will last a lifetime for our students.”
