Generations connect to create understanding, share stories and learn together
Mary MacKillop College Year 9 students Sienna and Ashlyn are meeting a new older friend, Judy Rogers, who regales them with stories of flying from London to New York on Concorde and the time she carried the Olympic torch 500m along Addison Rd before handing it off to Gavin Wanganeen.
Across the room, Sacred Heart Year 9 student Archer is meeting 75-year-old Peter Drew face-to-face for the first time and the two can’t stop chatting about their favourite subject – football.
The room is buzzing, the connections between old and young unmistakeable.
The generations have come together as part of a partnership between Meals on Wheels (MoW) and the two South Australian Catholic schools.
Through the Rite Now! intergenerational program, MoW is connecting older participants with Year 9 students to create opportunities to share experiences and skills and learn from each other.
“We’re building connections between younger and older people, opening our students to different perspectives and putting themselves in another person’s shoes,” Sacred Heart Rite Journey teacher Nick Vasic says.
The process begins with students filling in a questionnaire about themselves which MoW project officer Sarah Harrison then uses to find their perfect match.
“I try to find some spark which really has been the key to the program’s success,” she says.
Mary MacKillop College director of students and Rite Journey teacher Liz Stewart enjoys witnessing students’ excitement when they receive correspondence from their match. “I’ll walk into the classroom and go, ‘You’ve got mail’ and there is complete and utter silence when they read the letters,” she says.
“It’s lovely to be a part of that and see the smiles on their faces.”
Ms Rogers was inspired to participate in the program after watching Old People’s Home for Teenagers. “I feel I’ve got something to offer,” she says. “I have travelled extensively and had a fairly interesting life. I’m looking forward to hearing about the girls’ lifestyles and ideas, which are totally different to when I was that age.”
Ashlyn and Sienna’s eyes light up as they listen to Ms Rogers share those life experiences.
“It’s actually been a lot more comfortable meeting Judy,” Ashlyn says. “I think we all thought it was going to be more awkward but it’s been really easy to talk to each other.”
Sienna is excited to hear more of her new friend’s life journey.
“I find it very intriguing learning about her childhood and discovering the things we can still relate to as the younger generation,” she says. “I feel I can learn from Judy and we can each share our experiences. We can help each other along the way if we’re struggling with different things.”
Mr Drew and Archer’s connection came in the shape of an oval ball – and pizza. “I was a national training manager for Pizza Hut so I think that got him,” Mr Drew says with a laugh. “He asked me if I owned a store and I said I wish I did.”
Their mutual love of AFL is also cause for connection – and teasing.
“I was looking for someone who is fun but also likes to have a chat about things that are going on in the world,” Archer says. “I put down that I like sports and Peter also likes sports – he goes for the Crows disappointingly while I go for Essendon.”
On a more serious note, Archer has already learned valuable life skills from his older friend.
“Peter has experienced the real world, and I’m diving deeper into it now, going from middle school to high school next year. He has taught me how to adapt and be organised, which will help me moving forward in the program and in life as well.”
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