Every Tuesday afternoon for the past few months, students from nearby Halls Head College have been visiting senior residents at Ingenia Gardens Seascape to learn the art of crocheting.

The initiative has been organised through Halls Head College’s Big Picture Learning Australia (BPLA) program; an alternative education framework embedded in over 40 schools nationwide to bring personalised learning to life. The program’s philosophy is ‘one student at a time in a community of learners,’ where students are connected to people and places of learning based on their personal interests and passions.

Ingenia Gardens Seascape Community Manager Sonia Magee said the school reached out to enquire about visiting the community after some of their senior schools’ students expressed an interest in learning to crochet. “We have a number of residents who regularly crochet together so we thought it was a wonderful idea,” said Ms Magee.

One of the students who kickstarted the inter-generational learning sessions is Hannah King, who became interested in the hobby through her mother. “I saw my mum make some items, so I reached out to the Big Picture Learning program that is offered at my school to learn how to crochet,” said Ms King.

 

“It’s really therapeutic, and you can be very creative throughout the process.”

Hannah King

One of the residents at Seascape who is sharing her knowledge is Janette Collard, who has been crocheting for 70 years. “Well first it’s relaxing, and you always feel a sense of joy when you finish something,” said Ms Collard. “I have made blankets, scarfs, beanies, and baby clothes for family, as well as for fundraising and charity events like Ronald McDonald House and Biggest Morning Tea.”

“We have had some great chats and laughs while the teaching is going on, and they’re also teaching us a

couple of things”

Janette Collard

The students crochet with the residents from 1:30pm – 3:00pm, followed by an afternoon tea full of chit-chat and bonding.

The students shared the sentiment, remarking on the lively chatter that occurs during the crochet sessions. “The residents are lovely and a lot of fun, I really enjoy attending every week,” said Ms King.

With the program finishing up to mark the end of Semester, Ms Magee said that Ingenia Gardens is looking forward to the next opportunity to collaborate with the younger generation.

“It’s been great for everyone involved, and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do with the initiative in future,” said Ms Magee.