LIFE education at Barossa Bushgardens

Faith‘s LIFE curriculum (Learning in Faith Education) continues a long-standing tradition of community service, founded in the College’s Christian values of compassion, hope, courage, justice, forgiveness, love, and service. Pioneered in the 1990s by Mike Leske through the Christian Living program, students have long used Faith’s buses to reach aged care homes, schools, and community groups, lending a hand, baking treats, and forming meaningful intergenerational connections.

Recently a class of Year 11 LIFE students collaborated with Doreen Von Linde and volunteers from the Barossa Bush Gardens to design and create an accessible nature playground. Their vision focused on inclusivity, with features such as a wheelchair-friendly path, teepee, noughts and crosses, and a painted stone creek bed. Students were hands-on throughout, digging, edging, and ensuring the space invites play, creativity, and connection for people of all ages.

Another class also engaged with the Barossa Community Kitchen, baking homemade biscuits and writing heartfelt notes to accompany them. Through these experiences, Faith students put values into action, developing empathy, practical skills, and a deep understanding of the difference service can make in people’s lives, while strengthening ties across the Barossa community.