Champagnat Marists help students re-engage with learning in Sydney

One year out from the inauguration of the “Marist Learning Zone” in one of the poorest suburbs of Sydney, a total of 33 students have benefited from the education program it offers. The centre is a joint Project of the international Lavalla200> community of Mt Druitt with Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta, assisted by Marist Schools Australia and the home schools of students attending the centre.

The main ministry of the Community is to provide learning support through the centre. The aim of the program is for students, who are not attending school or who have dropped out, to return to school. As part of its missionary outreach, the Community at Mount Druitt has also made links with the local aboriginal community and other ethnic groups.

“Our staff are currently designing project-based learning activities to support learning needs. We are also doing intensive literacy and numeracy work with some of our students who have missed a lot of schooling. It has been pleasing to see significant improvements”, said Br Lawrie McCane about developments.

The Marist Learning Zone was officially opened on 27 July 2018, staffed by the Community and two senior officers from the diocese.

The Mt Druitt Community is made up of a married couple from Mexico, Argie Hernández and Rodrigo Gris Castro, Br Jonnel Sisneros from the Philippines, and Br Lawrie McCane from Australia.