Year 4 goes MAD

Year 4 have been hard at work on their Make a Difference Projects. This term students have had the opportunity to interview and listen to a variety of ‘changemakers’ from in and around Emanuel School.  Students were then asked to look around them to identify problems, empathise and find out what they could do to help bring about positive change in our community. We have had a variety of projects happening in our classrooms, everything from how to encourage healthy eating, to picking up rubbish and putting an end to animal cruelty.

Here is a selection of projects that students have been working on: 

Problem: Looking at the unfair treatment of refugees

Hello my name is Elke Selinger, I would like to share with you a little bit about my Year 4 Make a Difference (MAD) project. Each year in Primary School, we work on a MAD project where we choose any problem in the world to try and change. The problem that I am currently working on is the unequal treatment of refugees. I have learned through all my research the unjust way refugees are being treated. I even interviewed a refugee and learned about detention centres. This made me mad! 

You cannot give refugees money or jobs either, there are a ton of restrictions when you live in detention.

You may not realise it, but 80% percent of refugees who have joined a new community miss their old life. Often they do not just lose their old life, they might even lose their family as well. My hope is that you take the time to research what these people go through and spread awareness of what is really happening.

I have decided to make a change by donating and giving support to refugees who need help. The money that we raise will be used for schools and some will go to refugee families. I held a bake sale to raise money. We baked cupcakes, cookies and brownies. I also made lemonade. We held the bake sale at Maroubra beach. We chose this location because it was close to home, and it was a hot day so lots of people would be at the beach. We also had a donation stall right next to it where people could give resources such as old books, clothes and school supplies.

I am not only passionate about refugees, but also asylum seekers and people that need support. I want to impact education so that kids and adults have an understanding. Also, I want all refugee children to have the opportunity to have an education and then be able to get jobs in Australia. I feel honoured that my teachers are giving me the chance to do this project. This project has given me the opportunity to try to help people who are less fortunate than me. 

If you would like to help too, you can gain more information about what needs to be done at https://asylumseekerscentre.org.au 

Problem: Too much rubbish is produced from lunch order bags

Hi, our names are Alex Gellert, Josh Barnett, Jack Kessell and David Miller. For our Make a Difference project this year we learned that there are so many lunch orders left around on the playground with absolutely no care.

Did you know that Emanuel produces a lot of waste from lunch orders compared to other schools. There are even some schools that are waste free!  We know being waste free is hard, however, we think it is important for Emanuel to produce less waste and have students be accountable for their own rubbish and lunch containers. 

We have decided to help make a difference with this cause by explaining what rubbish goes in what bin, by making a commercial and presenting to Year 2 and 3. 

If you feel passionate about this cause you can help by trying to use as little waste as possible when packing your lunch or you can help by always recycling your lunch order bags. Please consider the environment and take what we have said into action.

Problem: Animal cruelty

Hi, my name is Lara Yakubson and my Make a Difference project is about Trophy Hunting. Did you know that in some countries people hunt for sport and kill animals just for fun? I have decided to try and raise awareness about this issue by researching and learning about how to be an animal advocate. If you feel interested in this topic, you can make a difference too by reading about and educating others about why we should treat all animals with respect. 

Problem: Animal racing

Hi, my name is Kira Levin-Kahn and for my Make a Difference project I have been researching animal racing.  I have learned a little bit more about horse racing, dog-sled racing and greyhound racing. I feel very passionate about how animals should be treated. You can help make a difference in this cause by learning a little bit about the races you attend to ensure that all the animals are being treated humanely. You can also raise awareness and teach others the importance of treating all living things with respect.