Grovedale College’s efforts to build community inclusion and break down barriers for people with disability has netted it a major award.
The college won the 2024 Outstanding School and Community Partnership Award category in the 2024 Victorian School Sports Award for its significant involvement in the annual Workplace Big Day Out, a genU event.
The Big Day Out brings together volunteers from the local business sector and people with disability for a fun day of activities, companionship and community.
Since 2016, Grovedale College students have been involved at the Big Day Out, facilitating the warm-up, organising equipment, and running activities, including wheelchair basketball, soccer, dodgeball and dancing.
Grovedale College principal Janet Matthews said achieving the award recognised Grovedale College’s values of Community, Respect, Achieve.
“I am immensely proud of our staff and student involvement in the Big Day Out events and our college highly values our ongoing partnership with genU,” she said.
“Our students gain so much from their involvement in the Big Day Out event each year and it allows such a wonderful opportunity for them to contribute to positivity in our community.”
On reflection, students described the 2024 Big Day Out experience as “emotional”, “fulfilling” and “amazing”. Student feedback also demonstrated a profound impact from being involved:
“Throughout the day it was hard to not be smiling ear to ear, it is the most heart-warming experience I have assisted with.”
“The highlights of my day included getting out of my comfort zone to have a laugh, high five, talk to the clients, staff and volunteers to make them have as much fun as possible.”
“My highlight for the day was when clients would approach me and remember my name from last year’s Big Day Out event. It made me realise how much of an impression our school has made at the year prior’s event, which meant a lot to me.”
genU CEO Clare Amies congratulated Grovedale College.
“The annual commitment from the college and students to support our Workplace Big Day Out makes such a positive difference to this important event,” she said.
“The students are genuinely engaged, enjoy being involved, take the lead in running activities and make strong connections with our clients in the most meaningful way. We appreciate their input to create a fully supported environment and embracing the opportunity for personal growth.”
