Resthaven and Annesley: Sharing wisdom
Creating mosaics, making fruit animals and composing songs with ‘boom whackers’ – it’s all part of the fun and learning of the Resthaven and Annesley Junior School’s intergenerational Sharing Wisdom program.
A joint initiative, the program brings together residents from Resthaven Retirement Living villages and reception students from Annesley for six weeks of activities and interactions.
‘I didn’t really know what to expect when I started,’ Mrs Barbara (Barb) Thredgold from Resthaven Fulham Gardens ‘Leisure Court’ Retirement Living says. ‘But it has been great.’
‘It’s really well done, and I love it.’
Mrs Pamelia (Pam) Lockett agrees: ‘It’s been wonderful to interact with all the children,’ Pam says. ‘We laugh every week!’
The students have been nothing but enthusiastic as they have learnt more about their ‘special visitors’.
‘Some of the children in the classroom do not have grandparents nearby, so this type of activity allows them to interact with older people, which they might not usually do,’ says Reception teacher Leanne Williams.
‘The students look forward to the visit every week!’
Residents have volunteered their time to help with the classroom activities, enabling the students to take on complicated and hands-on tasks. Some have also expressed their surprise by the structure of the learning that takes place at the school, including an on-site café manned by the Year 6 students that introduces them to hospitality and business skills.
Pam enjoys activities with students
‘To sit in the classroom and see how it’s done now is fascinating,’ Barb says. ‘It’s good to see what is going on in schools these days.’
Jacinta Robertson, Resthaven Senior Manager Community Wellness, explains that Resthaven is keen to expand the program to partner with schools located near other Resthaven sites.
‘Intergenerational programs are wonderful for the wellbeing of both young and young at heart. We are so glad to build on this program so that retirees can benefit from this enriching time with students,’ she says.
Stay tuned for more details next year!
The Sharing the Wisdom program follows on from the success of last year’s ‘Big and Little’ Gardening Club program, another wonderful example of Resthaven’s partnership with Annesley Junior School.
Intergenerational programs are also held across Resthaven residential aged care homes. Click here to read about Resthaven Paradise’s program with Thorndon Park Primary School.
