Praxis is experiential faith-based service learning where students actively reflect and engage in the needs of our community. Each Wednesday students in the high school have an 80-minute lesson dedicated to Praxis. There has been quite a bit of work completed around the experiential learning cycle to guide classes in this process.

Year 10s have identified needs within our local community. The class has designed a long-term project creating handmade toys for those needing it most come the festive season. They will be up-skilled in the creation of quality wooden toys with the assistance of the INTAD Department. They plan to contact St Vincent De Paul with their proposal in order to reach those in need. The students are in the process of creating a letter of support. This undertaking will provide the class with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of service learning.

While the over-arching idea for their Praxis unit for Year 9s is to work with members of our community in order to develop a relationship and become aware of their lives and interests. This will demonstrate a valuing of individuals and their continued contribution to our community. Students were discussing with peers the considerations of this service learning possibility.

The Year 11 students are spending the next 2 weeks building Easter baskets with students from Junior classes for their Praxis activity. The Year 11s worked beautifully with the little people and they were bursting with pride afterwards.

Year 12s are busy preparing, a special prayer gathering and dinner with Year 12 Parents at the PAC, Monday 1 April 5-7:30 p.m. This has been designed by the students and aims to address many aspects central to the LYF Program whilst valuing the spiritual development of the individuals.  Please RSVP to Mrs Baxter or Mrs Appleton asap.

The daily prayer life of the College continues with prayers including faith in action ideas. This is an essential way of thinking and working within the LYF program as it allows students to put into practice that day or week, central ideas in their interactions with others.

It is pleasing to see that a lot of the work across the LYF program, just in this brief snapshot this week, is addressing Catholic Social Teachings of valuing human dignity, community and the common good and solidarity.

Bronwyn McArthur

Middle Leader - LYF