As a community that values inclusion, respect and connection, Nazareth proudly celebrates the connections between generations and the wisdom that spans across ages.

These themes were beautifully unpacked by Year 12 students in the Stage 2 Community Connections – Practical Religion subject, which offers a rich opportunity for meaningful engagement with the surrounding community. Through the Community Application Activity, students engaged with the senior members of our community, affectionately known as the Wise Owls.

This recent initiative focused on bridging the technological gap, an area where our Wise Owls expressed a clear need for assistance. Recognising this, students prepared diligently, exploring various aspects of phone and social media usage, ready to share their skills and knowledge.

During the session, the Wise Owls were welcomed with warmth and respect, as our students eagerly extended their support. Despite differing expectations about the level of assistance required, each student approached the task with patience and empathy, helping the Wise Owls navigate the complexities of their devices.

These actions are deeply rooted in the Catholic Church’s teachings on honouring the wisdom, maturity, and experience of the elderly within our community. As the Wise Owls shared their experiences, students found themselves not only teaching but also learning valuable lessons through meaningful engagement.

The success of this initiative lies in the genuine connections built between the students and the Wise Owls. It highlighted the importance of intergenerational dialogue, echoing the words of Pope Francis, who emphasised the need for the young to listen to the elderly, drawing strength from their wisdom and keeping the roots of our society strong.