Friendship flowers

By Bridget Brady
THERE was friendship in the air at Lyndhurst Secondary College last week.
Students and staff had their days brightened with deliveries of flowers with kind messages attached as part of a homelessness fundraising effort organised by five year 9 students.
The students organised the friendship initiative as part of an advanced program undertaken by year 9 students.
As part of the program, students covered other topics, including animal welfare, fit for life and community health.
The students were given the independence to decide on a project, and pedagogy leader Mirella Dammers said the friendship initiative was a wonderful idea.
The students set up a stall where people could place their orders of flowers and write a friendship message, raising $75 for the Salvation Army.
“There were lots of smiles on people’s faces when they received them,” Ms Dammers said.
“It was a great idea to have a friendship day to show appreciation for those people who do nice things for us.
“The students came up with the idea and got it off the ground.”
Ms Dammers said the students decided on a friendship fundraiser because they learned the breakdown of relationships could be one of the contributing factors of homelessness.
The student autonomy was an important part of the program, Ms Dammers said.
“It makes a massive difference because it shows students what they’re capable of doing,” she added.
“Friendship day was just one of many impressive activities students organised.”