St Catherine’s Catholic Primary Wishart School is on a mission to create connections that stand the test of time and span generations.
Through a new pilot program that connects Year 6 students with residents at TriCare Retirement Community Mount Gravatt, students were able to meet their ‘grand friends’ in person (Friday 6 September), after weeks of digital interactions.
During Term 3, students have engaged with residents through weekly online sessions, to foster empathy, understanding, and mutual respect between generations.
St Catherine’s Catholic Primary School Principal Paul Mitchell said the joy and excitement were evident on both sides.
“While the online sessions provided a great foundation for the program, meeting face-to-face allowed for deeper connections and more heartfelt exchanges that technology simply couldn't capture,” he said.
“The Year 6 students were especially thrilled to celebrate their ‘grandfriend’ Doug’s 100th birthday in person. This milestone truly highlighted the profound impact of the program on both the students and their ‘grandfriends’.”
St Catherine’s Catholic Primary School Year 6 student Hugh said he is enjoying learning about how different their life was.
“Things like how they kept their food cold, or how they got to school many years ago,” he said.
Paul Mitchell said the idea for the intergenerational program was a collaborative effort with Assistant Principal of Religious Education, Matthew Armstrong and advice from The Community Crusade Founder Sarah Brady.
“The decision to initiate the program was rooted in our school’s mission to build a compassionate and inclusive community,” he said.
“It’s about building bridges that connect young and old, helping our students develop a deeper appreciation for the lives that shaped the world they live in today.
“As a result, the program has helped our students develop mindfulness by pausing to listen and learn from those with a lifetime of experience.
"The feedback from both sides has been overwhelmingly positive, and it’s clear that this initiative is enriching lives in ways we hadn’t even imagined.
“In Term 4 we will be looking to refine the program and make it a permanent feature as part of the Year 6 curriculum.
“We hope this innovative partnership will serve as a model for other schools and communities.”
Sarah Brady said that bringing together generations through intergenerational programs like this, it enabled purposeful connections that could develop into sustainable friendships for the benefit of everyone.
TriCare Mt Gravatt Village Manager Louise Mathers said, “The event had exceeded all expectations, and they will be doing it all again next year, likely with even more residents joining the program”.
“It has been amazing to see the smiles on the resident’s faces,” she said.
“They were so excited, down waiting in reception at 10.30 am, half an hour early.
“This has been a great experience for everyone and we will definitely be doing it again.
“They will take it back to the Village now and we will probably have double the number next time we do it.”
In Term 4, Year 6 students at St Catherine’s Catholic Primary School will have the unique opportunity to interview their ‘grandfriends’ and write their biographies, deepening the bonds formed throughout the program.
To support the initiative, St Catherine’s Primary School utilised part of its Student Wellbeing Grant to purchase equipment, such as cameras, ensuring the program was a success for both students and their ‘grand friends.’
For more information about St Catherine’s Primary School Wishart or to enrol click here.