Career call for young wags

By Bridget Brady
WHAT started as an opportunity to skip class has turned into a potential career prospect for Lyndhurst Secondary College students.
The students have been visiting the elderly at Regis Sherwood Park in Junction Village as part of A Lunch Time Activity, which is organised through the school’s student involvement program.
The students visit the aged care facility twice a term and sacrifice half of their lunch and periods five and six of their timetable. They chat with the residents, play games or help out with any task or hobby they are undertaking.
Teacher Nicole Scott said she was thrilled to discover some students had considered a career in aged care after initially taking part to avoid class.
“One student said to me she originally went because she just wanted to get out of school, now she goes because she wants to do it as a career,” Mrs Scott said.
The program was a success among students because it gave them the feeling they were useful and helpful to others, Mrs Scott said.
“These people so look forward to having them there. They feel they are doing something that’s really helping somebody else.”
Since the years 7, 8 and 9 students started the visits, Mrs Scott said there had been more requests to participate in the program than available spots.
“I have another 20 (students) who would like to go.”
Last Thursday students painted their nails with residents, played bingo, helped chop vegetables for soup and one student played the guitar.
“Sometimes they clap or wave when we leave, which is great.”
Mrs Scott said it was good for the students to have contact with senior members of the community.
This was the first year the school had visited Regis Sherwood Park and Mrs Scott said she hoped the program would continue in the future.