Students pen their concerns

Students pen their concerns

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Good Shepherd year six students Harry Rooke, Dom Kershaw, Ryan King and Joshua Phoebe. Photograph – Aaron Van Rongen.

Issues around the lack of security and community sporting facilities, anti-social behaviour and concerns for local wildlife were penned to Examiner Newspapers last week by students from a local school.

A class of year six students from Good Shepherd Catholic Primary put pen to paper to voice concerns they had in the community as part of a letter writing exercise.

Teacher Keiron Throssell said he was quite surprised at some of the topics the students came up with, particularly those based around anti-social behaviours and smoking.

“The level of maturity they showed as 11-year-olds, selecting topics that weren’t necessarily based around their personal wishes but things that would benefit the whole community, was very pleasing to see,” he said.

“I started them off with a discussion about what facilities they have near their homes, such as skate parks, and they naturally expanded into other areas themselves.”

Mr Throssell said by doing the exercise the students became more aware of what happened, not just on their street, but all around them.

“They also came to the realisation that even though they are only 11-years-old, they have a voice in their local community and can push for change,” he said.

Good Shepherd year six students Sharday Anthony, Mackenzie Hopewell and Monet Tilby. Photograph – Aaron Van Rongen.