Grandparents and Grandfriends
Grandparents and Grandfriends
Improving the connection between primary school children and older members of the community
Collaborations -
LP011-006
The issue
Whitton Public School was interested in connecting the children of the local primary schools to the older members of the community, particularly the Grandparents and Grandfriends of the community. The purpose of the event was to celebrate the contributions grandparents make to all our lives, and foster intergenerational learning and opportunities for older people to participate in their local communities. Many of the older people in our communities have lost connections with the wider community and often feel isolated and lonely. Older people in the community also have wonderful stories about the local community which they are happy to share.
The solution
To provide a community activity to engage and unite the small schools with the Grandparents and Grandfriends in the area. The Leeton Shire Council provided the funds for the Day which included a range of activities: gardening workshops, a museum tour, bushwalking, games and loads of food. Whitton Murrami was the host school and invited all the small schools in the area (Yanco, Wamoon and Gralee School).
Other groups and agricultural businesses involved were:
- Southern Cotton
- Randall Organic Rice were stall holders
- CWA provided the food
The impact
As part of the bushwalking component of the day. Petuarus Wirraminna Educational Group provided educational resources to assist the Local Landcare Coordinator from the Bidgee Irrigation Region to participate in a bush treasure hunt. Value included:
- Collaboration between environmental education groups
- Connections between local community members and history groups (Whitton Museum)
- Storytelling of a bygone era educating the students on the history of the school (e.g. The environmental block was an old horse paddock when student rode to school)
- Improvement of bush observation skills and education of students and Grandparents
- 100 students and 60 grandparents and friends enjoyed each other’s company.
Learnings
It was amazing how much enjoyment children and grandparents/grandfriends got out of learning together.
Key facts
- Small Schools celebrated the contribution Grandparents make
- Grandparents and students improved observation skills in the bush