During the Year 7 Faith Formation Day, the full meaning of our pillars was unpacked with the entire Year 7 cohort. I had the privilege of running the workshop on the pillar of Compassion, which is close to my heart.

Compassion is the ability to understand and respond to the struggles of others with kindness. We discussed walking this journey called life with our Christian caps and Christ lenses on. Through deep and meaningful conversations, the Year 7s shared experiences, stories, and ideas on how improvements can be made.

During each session, kindness trees were created and displayed in the Siena building as gentle reminders of the lessons taught and learned throughout the Compassion workshop.

The significance of looking beyond themselves and considering others' needs was deeply explored. It showed the students that small acts of kindness can significantly impact someone's life and emphasized the role each of us plays in creating a compassionate community.

Each student created a "snack pack" for a homeless individual, featuring a personalized note written by them. These notes, filled with messages of hope and encouragement, were included to uplift the spirits of the recipients, exemplifying the power of words. Each note carried a unique message, crafted to bring joy and hope to the receiver. This experience taught students that their words could offer strength and comfort, creating a ripple effect of kindness.

The students' efforts were donated to "Give Until It Hurts" (GUIH), an organization dedicated to supporting the homeless. This act of giving goes beyond the provision of material items, highlighting the importance of empathy and recognizing the humanity in everyone.

The compassion project by our Year 7 students is a powerful example of how we can all contribute to a more empathetic world. By focusing on others and offering genuine support, we build a community where everyone feels valued. This project has not only helped those in need but has also imparted a lasting lesson on the importance of compassion in the hearts of our students.