This term, our Year 10 Youth Ministry Religious Education class has been putting their learning into practice in the most inspiring way. After laying the foundation last term with core Youth Ministry skills, students have deepened their understanding of Servant Leadership, explored different leadership styles and reflected on how Jesus serves as the ultimate model of leading with humility and compassion.
Their knowledge came to life through a vibrant and meaningful Youth Ministry session presented to approximately 80 Year 7 students. This session, part of their Term Two RE assessment, focused on the theme ‘Respectful Relationships’—a timely and essential topic for school communities.
The afternoon began with a prayer, Acknowledgement to Country, and housekeeping to set a tone of respect and inclusion. Two confident MCs guided the day’s events, while a dedicated behind-the-scenes team ensured everything ran smoothly handling tech, keeping time, and supporting each group throughout the session.
The Year 10 class was divided into three core groups:
- The Connection Group kicked things off with a series of fun and engaging icebreakers. Their energy helped break down barriers and build a welcoming atmosphere, setting the stage for deeper discussion.
- The Proclamation Group led a panel Q&A where they thoughtfully answered questions submitted by the Year 7s—who asked impressively insightful and mature questions. They also presented a powerful video highlighting the importance of respectful relationships in a school setting, prompting meaningful reflection.
- The Response Group rounded out the session with hands-on activities that encouraged Year 7 students to express and apply what they had learned. In one activity, each student wrote the name of someone they share a respectful relationship with on a sticky note and added it to a collective wall displaying visual representation of the lessons shared. Another activity presented True/False statements about respect, encouraging students to physically move and debate their views in a dynamic and interactive format.
The following lesson provided the Year 10s with space to debrief—celebrating their successes, unpacking surprises, and identifying opportunities for growth. Their maturity in reflecting on both strengths and areas to improve demonstrated a high level of self-awareness and commitment to growth.
Overall, the experience was a testament to the students’ ability to work collaboratively, lead with intention, and live out the values they’ve been studying. Their adaptability, creativity, and mutual support were remarkable—and the event was as enriching for the Year 10 leaders as it was for the Year 7 participants.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to the teachers and the Year 7 students who engaged so enthusiastically. We hope you had an enjoyable and thought-provoking afternoon!
