Cracking bon-bons and singing Christmas carols signalled the culmination of something truly special for the Year 6 students of St Paul鈥檚 Primary School, Rutherford and the residents of Rutherford Park Care Community.
Throughout the year, students in the school鈥檚 Mini Vinnies program attended the aged care home where they traded stories with the residents, learning from each other and creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Now, coming together for the last time in 2024 to celebrate the festive season.
The Mini Vinnies program had seen humble beginnings.
Restricted by the pandemic, the students had initially found it challenging to engage with their local community. However, Robert Temesvary, the Religious Education and Mini Vinnies Coordinator at St Paul鈥檚 said the determination to make a difference saw the program flourish.
鈥淓ver since I’ve been at St Paul’s, the program has been a big focus for our Year 6 students,鈥� he said.
鈥淎t the beginning of the year, the students who want to be part of Mini Vinnies nominate themselves, and then they’re officially welcomed into the community at Sunday Mass with the parish around midterm.鈥�
From that point onward, the students are not only ambassadors of the school but also budding philanthropists. In addition to their regular visits to Rutherford Park, they take part in school fundraising, coordinated mission days, and even support the Breakfast Club on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Robert said the idea of the intergenerational program was presented by St Paul鈥檚 librarian Katrina Howard and everyone thought it would be meaningful for both students and the residents.
鈥淚t took some time for the program to get off the ground, but ever since then it鈥檚 really gone from strength to strength.
鈥淭he students enjoy going and hearing about their lives and we know they bring some joy and connection while they鈥檙e there.
鈥淲e sometimes forget the power of slowing down and spending time with others. It鈥檚 what life鈥檚 all about and it鈥檚 so beneficial on both ends,鈥� Mr Temesvary said.
Lara, a Year 6 student, has been visiting Rutherford Park since the beginning of the year. She said it鈥檚 shown her and her peers how to befriend people of all ages and walks of life.
鈥淲e always have a great time when we visit, and we love talking with the residents and hearing their stories. I know some of the residents don鈥檛 have family close by and we feel like we have brightened their day when we leave,鈥� Lara said.
Xavier, another Year 6 student, agreed adding that he feels grateful to have learnt so much.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a truly special thing to meet new people who have tales you could never dream of. Because they鈥檙e older than us they鈥檝e experienced some really cool things,鈥� Xavier said.
I鈥檝e got my own grandma who lives by herself, so I know how important it is to make sure they feel like they are heard, and someone cares about them.鈥�
Rutherford Park resident, Pat Sexton said the Mini Vinnies visits are always a hit.
鈥淚t鈥檚 good to see them arrive with their smiling faces and I鈥檝e learnt a lot about them, and I love hearing about their families,鈥� Pat said.
鈥淚 have a big family, and I鈥檝e always loved having the kids around. I have four children and ten grandchildren, and they were constantly at my place, and we were involved in Scouts and the netball and soccer clubs. It was my life, and the student visits remind me of those times.鈥�
The impact of the program is deeply felt, especially during the festive season where the celebrations can often highlight the absence of loved ones.
鈥淵ou could be having the most stressful week, but when you see the students interact with the residents and the looks on their faces, it鈥檚 just the most bucket-filling experience,鈥� Mr Temesvary said.
鈥淵ou can see the excitement in their conversation, and some residents bring out pictures of their family, exchanging stories with the students. It鈥檚 just a really personal experience. Some residents don鈥檛 have family close by, so it鈥檚 special for them during the Christmas period.
鈥淗aving that connection to the community is a big thing for us as a school.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 important to students because in this work, they have pride in what they do. It鈥檚 more than school and an activity, it鈥檚 bigger than that and that鈥檚 what we are about at St Paul鈥檚.鈥�
