SHELDON College students have penned emotional open letters to health workers, supermarket workers and people struggling during the coronavirus pandemic.
Year 7 Humanities students reached out to those who they thought needed support and encouragement during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Humanities and social sciences teacher Kylie Meek encouraged the students to embrace their feelings and use them to empathise with others.
Students discussed the different community members who were being affected, shared strategies to overcome the emotional impact of the virus and talked about the importance of saying thank you to the people risking their own health for the good of the community.
"We could talk all day about the negative aspects of what is currently happening, the impacts on health and the economy, or we can empathise and take constructive action to help the situation," Ms Meek said.
"There are many people in roles (and) situations at the moment whereby they have to think beyond their own circumstance and come together as a community to show resilience and empathy.
"My Year 7 students are a spirited bunch and I thought it was important to have some open conversations with them regarding empathy and about the people within society who are currently going above and beyond and even the ones who are doing it tough.
"The students really got involved and drove this lesson. They brainstormed all of the people who came to mind, from those directly impacted in their own family and social circles, to Australia at large.
"However, it was clear to see that the students demonstrated an extra passion towards our medical staff, teachers in all schools and employees within industries where they have lost their stream of income.
"I've never seen such engagement from them for a writing task and you could see the passion exhibited from them all."
Many of the letters written were addressed to doctors, nurses, other health care practitioners, health advisors, teachers, supermarket workers and people working in struggling businesses.
Year 7 student Vanessa wrote to health experts and advisors, saying even though some people would not listen to their advice, those that did were grateful.
"I know that you probably deal with lots of people who are scared but thank you for your patience with them."
Ms Meek said the school was doing everything possible to keep them students safe and teach them strategies for dealing with worry in uncertain times.
