Bishop Wade Secondary student leaders attend Social Communications formation

Tarlena, Bougainville: Almost 100 student leaders of Bishop Wade Tarlena Technical Secondary School in the Diocese of Bougainville attended a Social Communications Formation Program from August 11 – 12, 2025.

Group picture of the students with the SOCOM Secretary. Some students are seen proudly showing off the shirts from the Heat Press Printing activity while others  are holding the SOCOM resource materials.

The intense two – day training had as its theme: Using the media to form, inform and inspire pilgrims of hope and had students actively participating in group discussions and presentations and practical activities on the topics of understanding communication from the Church’s perspective, news writing and photography.

SOCOM Secretary Sr Daisy Anne Lisania Augustine MSC with two students displaying shirts from the Heat Press Printing activity.

The sessions were facilitated by SOCOM Secretary Sr Daisy Anne Lisania Augustine MSC and Jessica Oata from the Catholic Bishops Conference with the assistance of the Diocesan SOCOM team comprising of Mr Robert Aneisia, Miss Lorentin Lerrin and Mr Charlie Mathias. 

On the first day, Sr Daisy set the tone for the seminar by introducing the students to communication from the Catholic church’s perspective. 

Students taking part in a photography activity

The second day had sessions dwelling on news writing and photography. The final session to end the seminar highlighted Heat Press Printing and had the active participation of the eager participants. This session particularly aims to empower young people to use artificial intelligence (AI) for good to sustain their livelihoods instead of using it for bad reasons. The students were introduced to a few AI sites to create attractive designs to be used in heat press printing for marketing. After a few demonstrations, the students did heat press printing with the designs provided. 

The program concluded with a group picture in front of the school administration building and students sharing joyful sentiments with the facilitators. 

Students doing their reading and group discussions.

Speaking on behalf of the teachers were Mrs Judith Matari and Sr Joyce Nohu CSN who shared joyful sentiments to the visiting team and requested for more of such programs to help the students identify their talents and use it to inspire others.

Students filling out the evaluation forms after the program