MORE than 200 people bustled into the Newhaven Primary School last Tuesday to celebrate the Kids as Catalysts Showcase led by local not for profit Kids Thrive.
Volunteer groups and community organisations from across the Bass Coast region joined with students from Newhaven Primary, Powlett River Primary and Bass Valley Primary, their parents, grandparents and even great-grandparents and the broader school communities to celebrate the extraordinary community-change projects students had co-designed and delivered with their community action partners.
There were tears of joy and pride on the night from participants who have spent months developing these community-based projects ranging from yarning circles, art murals, connecting kids from remote towns, creating historical moments around the pandemic, and designing and printing 3D devices for use by people with little or no hand capacity.
“We would like to give a huge thanks to the Bass Coast Community Foundation, the schools involved, the community and funders as well as media outlets who have supported this beautiful program through their time, talent and treasure,” said Dr Andrea Lemon, co-founder of Kids Thrive.
Grade five and six students from the three local primary schools and their community action partners presented in front of community leaders, Bass Coast Councillors, school principals, proud families and interested community members, showcasing the projects they have delivered and the outcomes achieved to help drive positive change in their local communities.
The Kids Thrive Kids as Catalysts program has been running at Newhaven, Powlett River, and Bass Valley Primary Schools over term three and four, with students seeking project funding to address issues they see as having greatest importance in their local community, including support for older people, cultural inclusion, gender equality, environmental issues and protection of animals and wildlife as well as disability advocacy.
Taking part in Victoria’s leading creative leadership and social change program for schools, principals and program staff said students have undergone significant change since commencing the program.
Executive Officer of the Bass Coast Community Foundation Sarah Bourke said funding the program again has demonstrated the importance of connecting and engaging young people in the community, particularly in the critical years before they transition to high school.
“Bass Coast Kids as Catalyst program leads the way in fostering youth engagement and participation from an early age. The 15 action projects led by the students are all remarkable in themselves, and they should feel proud of the impacts that they can make in our local community.” she said.
Kids as Catalysts will continue to run across schools in 2023 in the local area.
If your community organisation or volunteer group wants to be involved with this unique charitable program, and partner with students in 2023 please send an email to admin@kidsthrive.org.au
Kids Thrive is a not-for-profit charity proudly working in the Bass Coast region and this Kids as Catalysts program is proudly funded by Bass Coast Community Foundation, VicHealth, Victorian Department of Education and Training, and the Sidney Myer Fund.
To find out more about the program go to www.kidsthrive.org.au and bccf.org.au
