Operation Joy brings joy to students and community

A rendition of You Are My Sunshine had 30 NBCS students singing along with residents of Terrey Hills Nursing Home recently.

It was part of the program dubbed ‘Operation Joy’, a longstanding initiative that fosters connections between NBCS Primary students and our elderly neighbours. Groups of students from Years 3 and 4, and Years 5 and 6, visit the nursing home on alternate weeks.

Head of Primary, Julie Smith, says that even though students miss a lunch-time and must do a RAHT test before they enter the nursing home, at the end of the visit, every child is beaming with joy.

“Before we go in, we coach the students about what sorts of questions are good to ask,” Julie says. “I’ve heard them reminding each other about which residents they’ve talked to before.”

In a recent visit, Years 3 and 4 students serenaded a resident turning 99 by singing Happy Birthday and the NBCS school song. Years 5 and 6 students celebrated another milestone, singing to a resident marking their 100th birthday.

These visits teach students about the joy of giving and serving others. From games and singing to heartfelt conversations, our students find immense joy in brightening the lives of their elderly friends.

One student said after visiting, “I love that I’ve remembered some of the residents’ names, and I think they’re recognising me. I love that they have interesting and fascinating stories about their life to share with us.”