Notes of a meeting with students from Peace Lutheran College, Qld - 8 July 1999
The students formed into groups and each was asked to describe, evaluate and make suggestions for change regarding one of the following topics
- School building and grounds
- Sports and other activities
- Students
- Boarders
- Subjects
School building and grounds
The school grounds comprise "a big sports oval, a playground, a tennis court, a basketball court, an art room, a home economics room, a science block, an ESL room, a music room, a drama room and a gym."
The students say they need "a swimming pool, a dancing room, more Aboriginal teachers". "our own swimming pool and a football field".
Sports and other activities
The students can participate in "music, art, drama, HPE, M& L and debating". "Swimming affects us because we have to travel to the local swimming pool . travelling to other places we get sick."
Students
Peace Lutheran College is a school that has kindergarten to Year 12 students. There are approximately 300 primary and about 300 secondary. There are about 60 boarders. There are currently no students with a disability but there was one in 1998.
Tension can flare up between the students. "Sometimes trouble can affect us; teasing about our skin colour." "We don't report it to the teachers." "Sometimes we get into fights because of name calling." "There is also a bit of jealousy between boarders and day students."
"We have cross-cultural training so that the students can learn to get to know each other properly and respect other cultures."
Boarders
"There are boarding facilities." "We [boarders] have church services, house parents, rooms provided for study." "We have activities on non-exit weekends." "We study five days from 6 to 8pm."
Boarders, who are predominantly Aboriginal students, say they sometimes experience negative feelings."[I] feel down." "[I] don't wanna participate . [and] feel not needed at school [and that I'm] missing out on things at home and families.
The boarders say their situation could be improved with "more visits to and from home". They think that "teachers should be more understanding and fair". Some would like "more socialising with white kids".
Subjects
"The most important subject I would like to do is art because it is fun." "The subject I would like to do this term is English and Social Education because you could learn more." "The subjects that I don't like doing are Science and Movement and Leisure . they should change it to not be compulsory."
Last updated 2 December 2001.
