Year 10 Steps Into Others’ Shoes – Beyond These Walls

The simulation invites participants to “walk in the shoes” of individuals whose lives are shaped by hardship. Through a story-based “choose-your-own-adventure” format, students lived out some of the difficult decisions and competing pressures real people experience in disadvantaged circumstances.

In preparation for the simulation, students were introduced to the backgrounds of characters drawn from real Anglicare clients, people struggling with poverty, instability, mental-health issues, or social isolation. We are grateful for the many students who participated with respect, openness and empathy. A number of them commented on how eye-opening the experience was: for some, it challenged their assumptions about “fairness” and privilege; for others, it was a confronting realisation that, in this simulation, you couldn’t “win” simply by choosing the “right” path. Instead, you were invited to confront a reality where even good choices might not overcome systemic disadvantage. Their reflections spoke not just of intellectual understanding, but of genuine empathy and compassion.

This transformation, of head, heart and hands, reflects Take Love’s vision for Beyond These Walls: to help participants understand (HEAD) the realities of disadvantage, to develop empathy (HEART), and to consider how they might respond practically with compassion and service (HANDS).

As Christians called to love our neighbours, we are reminded of the words of the apostle John: “We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19) This experience has helped our students form a greater understanding of those who may struggle within our community and provides a helpful precursor to their Global Awareness Week as they further consider lives outside of their own.

Kathryn Breen
Assistant Head of Secondary