Students from St Peter’s School visit Bethany
14 December, 2022
Simple homemade gifts, Christmas carols and the sounds of children’s voices filled the Recreation Room at Bethany Residential Aged Care recently as the Year 4 students from St Peter’s Catholic Primary School in Rockhampton took time to visit residents and spread some Christmas cheer. The generational divide evaporated as heads were bent together in conversation and friendly smiles were shared around the Christmas tree.
It’s the continuation of a very special connection, according to St Peter’s Assistant Principal Religious Education, Michelle Paterson. “Each year our Year 4 classes visit Bethany to sing Christmas carols and to meet the residents and form a friendship which will grow over the next few years,” Mrs Paterson said. “In Years 5 and 6, as part of our outreach program, our students visit the residents each fortnight during the school year. These visits are always fun and our students love taking part in the program.
Mrs Paterson said the students will often take their musical instruments to play for the residents and board games were also very popular. “Our students love to chat with the residents to learn about their lives, especially about what life was like when they were children,” Mrs Paterson said.
St Peter’s and Bethany (operated by Mercy Aged Care) have forged a partnership that has grown and developed for more than 25 years. Mrs Paterson said St Peter’s partnership with Bethany aligns with the school motto, Called to Serve and provides a wonderful opportunity for the school community to respond in a very meaningful way.
