On Thursday, 6th March, 114 Year 9 students embarked on a thought-provoking journey through Rockingham, stepping out of their classrooms and into the heart of their local community. As part of the Strive program—underpinned by Kolbe’s “Capabilities for Life”—this excursion was designed to challenge students with a powerful question: How can I make a positive impact in my local community?
Through a day of immersive experiences, students connected with key community organisations, including the City of Rockingham Council, Rockingham Youth Centre, Rockingham Police Station, The Crew, Liliah Haven, and other local services. They engaged with experts, listened to real-life stories, and examined pressing social issues such as homelessness, youth mental health, and road safety.
The Strive course is a platform for developing essential life skills such as character, citizenship, critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration. With these core elements in mind, the Year 9 students used their excursion as a launchpad for their semester-long projects, where they will work towards real-world solutions to the challenges they identified.
Student Miia (Year 9) reflected on her chosen focus, “The issue my group and I are doing for the semester project is homelessness. It is a very big issue within our community, especially when women and their kids have no shelter or food.” This sentiment was echoed by John (Year 9), who shared, “Seeing the behind-the-scenes of what happens in the community of Rockingham and the struggles and the solutions to said challenges was a positive to take away.”
This excursion not only marked the beginning of an important inquiry but also highlighted a historic milestone for Kolbe’s Capabilities Courses. The current Year 9s are the first cohort to have completed all three stages of the program, having participated in Ignite in Year 7, Build in Year 8, and now Strive in Year 9.
With a semester ahead of research, ideation, and planning, students will ultimately present their ideas at a community expo, showcasing innovative and actionable ways to create positive change. The impact of this experience will no doubt ripple beyond the classroom, shaping these young leaders as they step forward with purpose and determination.
Stay tuned for updates on their progress and the inspiring solutions they develop to make Rockingham a better place for all.
