In a world where communication is often instant and digital, there is something deeply powerful about slowing down, listening, and truly understanding another person’s story. This term, some of our Year 9 students have been doing exactly that through the CUBE elective Behind Those Eyes.
As part of the program, students visited Arcare this week to conduct follow-up interviews with their assigned residents. What started with some initial nerves in the first week has grown into something more meaningful – a genuine connection. Through careful preparation and the development of interviewing techniques, students are learning how to draw out personal stories, identify key moments, and shape these into rich, authentic biographies. These stories will ultimately inform a photographic portrait that captures not just an image, but the essence of the individual.
Students didn’t approach this experience unprepared. In the lead-up, they engaged in communication workshops, exploring how to ask meaningful questions, listen actively, and respond with empathy. They even analysed how Anh Do connects with his subjects, recognising that to truly represent a person, whether through painting or photography, you must first understand their story.
This process has required students to step outside their own frame of reference. With an average age gap of over 75 years, they have been challenged to consider lives lived in entirely different contexts. What was it like before television? How did people travel or stay connected without mobile phones? These questions have sparked curiosity, but more importantly, they have opened the door to empathy. By constructing timelines and exploring historical contexts, students begin to piece together not just events but lived experiences.
What we witnessed during the latest visit was something truly special. Conversations flowed more naturally, laughter was shared, and a sense of pride began to emerge. Students spoke about “their resident” with genuine care and excitement. In return, residents were given the opportunity to reflect, share, and feel heard. These intergenerational connections are at the heart of the program. They reduce social isolation for older adults while helping young people challenge assumptions and build deeper understanding. The result is a powerful exchange of stories, perspectives, and humanity.
Beyond the final portraits, this elective is designed to develop essential life skills. Students are actively building their ability to collaborate, communicate effectively, and take ownership of their learning. They are becoming more aware of how they interact with others, how they adapt their communication in different contexts, and how they can use feedback to improve. These capabilities are embedded throughout the program, giving students a shared language to recognise and reflect on their growth.
At The Knox School, we believe in educating the whole child through three key pathways: knowledge, skills, and character. This elective brings those pathways to life. Students are not only learning the technical and creative knowledge behind storytelling and photography, but also developing the skills to connect and communicate, while building the character needed to show empathy, respect, and genuine curiosity about others.
Programs like this remind us that education is not only about what students know, but who they are becoming and the kind of impact they can have on the world around them.
