2021 Virtual Winter Sleepout

Each year our Social Justice group explores the complex issue of homelessness through a series of events, the main one being our annual Winter Sleepout.

For the second year in a row, the sleep out was held online last Friday night with a group of staff and students participating from their homes.

The night aims to broaden participants’ understanding of homelessness in our community through guest speakers, interactive activities and ‘roughing it’ or sleeping on the floor.

Here is what some of our students had to say about the sleep out.

“This is my fourth time participating in the CRC Melton Winter Sleepout. Through all of these experiences, I have gained a deeper understanding of homelessness and the current situation in Australia. Through interaction with guest speakers and the activities I am reminded of all the things I am blessed to have and just how quickly it could all be taken away.” Darcy - Year 11

Darcy was also the winner of our poster activity during which he created this moving sign.

“I enjoyed the activities we got to do that were related to homelessness, such as the backpack rush where we had to pack 10 items we would take with us if we were told we had 10 minutes to leave the house. This taught me that homelessness can happen to anyone even if we think it can never happen to us or people we know. Hearing what homeless people go through made me open my eyes to this global issue that can happen to anyone in the blink of an eye.” Elesha - Year 9

“Although the winter sleepout was held online again this year it was still a fun and very confronting experience. We got to meet people who have experienced homelessness and hear about the harsh realities of life on the street and aspects of homelessness that we don’t always think about. It was good to participate in the hands-on activities that really got us thinking about the issue of homelessness and the ways it affects people.” Cate - Year 11

“My Winter Sleepout was rough and odd. I slept on the floorboards with the house heater off in a sleeping bag wearing three layers of clothing. As I settled into my sleeping bag under the fort I built, I spent a lot of time finding the right position to sleep in. I am a side sleeper and let me tell you my shoulders were uncomfortably squashed against the hard floorboards! Soon after I somehow found the right position and surprisingly fell asleep quite easily, probably due to boxing and studying so much. I was then awakened by my alarm and realised that the night had flown by.” Ophelia - Year 10

Ophelia was also the winner of our shelter competition.

Following on from the Winter Sleepout, there are several online Social Justice activities students can participate in this week that focus on homelessness. All the details can be found on Simon.

Any students interested in participating in these events or in joining the Social Justice group can email Miss Van at evanwees@sfcc.vic.edu.au

Emma van Wees

Social Justice Coordinator