Eleven from St. Lucy’s School, Australia, here for a Day Session to Respond for People with Disabilities.

Eleven facilitators from St. Lucy’s School in Australia are on a mission to collaborate with Catholic schools within the Catholic Diocese of Gizo.

They are currently in the Diocese, participating in a day seminar consisting of 7 sessions that commenced this morning, each led by a different facilitator.

During the opening, Mr. Willy Abito, the Catholic Education Secretary, extended a warm welcome to the team and the participants from Titiana, Nusabaruku, Babanga, Pailoghe communities, church representatives, primary schools, and secondary schools in Gizo.

He emphasized that the day's sessions aim to deepen their understanding of individuals with disabilities in educational settings and communities, equipping them with skills and presenting effective strategies and methods to support and care for family members, students, schools, communities, churches, and individuals with types of disabilities.

He also highlighted some of the important roles of the education ministry in our country concerning individuals who require access to education, particularly referencing the Solomon Islands Act 2023, which mandates that all leaders and caregivers comprehend the objectives and goals of the Act.

The session began with group brainstorming activities led by each facilitator, encouraging participants to engage in the session and the team to ask questions that fostered engagement within the groups.

The team, comprised of professional educators, is led by their principal, David Raphael, and is dedicated to collaborating with local educators, families, and church communities—sharing skills, building confidence, and enhancing inclusive education practices so that young individuals with disabilities can realize their potential and lead purposeful lives.