This year's focus for the Senior School Community Awareness Committee has been as much about raising awareness of issues both locally and in the wider world, as it has been about raising money. We have made links with a number of organisations within our local community, and internationally, in the hope of providing greater understanding in our students and aiding in the provision of a better life for others in our global community.
Local Connections
Community Awareness Days have enabled us primarily to focus on members of our local community who are in need: CamCare, Beyond Blue and the Collingwood English Language School have each received donations of approximately $1000 this year. CamCare is a not-for-profit, community based organisation which provides services to more than 5500 households yearly in Boroondara, and Beyond Blue is a national, independent, not-for-profit organisation working to address issues associated with depression, anxiety and related substance misuse disorders in Australia. Our connections with the Collingwood English Language School have been cemented over a number of years, and money raised has allowed the School to implement a fruit programme for its pupils. Every Ruyton class from Year 7 to 11 hosted a stall on our Community Awareness Days to raise these funds. This also has provided a valuable opportunity for the students to develop their organisational skills and demonstrate their leadership potential.
Doorknocks have been another way the students have reaffirmed their generosity and commitment to helping those less fortunate. We were inundated by girls who volunteered for the Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal Doorknock this year under the guidance of Ms Amanda Russell. Over $2500 was raised and, in addition, Hannah Tabart received an award from the Salvation Army for her outstanding role as leader and organiser of the girls.
Throughout the year, the School community has generously provided food donations for the Wesley Mission as well as purchasing Legacy and ANZAC Day badges and pins which were sold by the girls.
Global Connections
Students have readily embraced the opportunity to learn more about communities around the world and how they can aid those who are less fortunate. This can be seen in the wake of natural disasters where the students are very quick to donate to impromptu causes, as was the case with our Haiti Appeal at the start of the year; students across the School were committed and passionate about raising money to ease the suffering of those affected. The girls raised over $1000 for this worthy cause.
Established charities in the School, such as Amnesty International and World Vision have also enabled the girls to learn more about the issues of the world. Furthermore, students from the Committee set up a stall in the Courtyard Café for a week with a focus on Amnesty's Candle Day and with the aim of generating awareness and discussion of human rights.
The Xavier Maytime Fair is another example of students giving up their time for a worthy cause and making connections both locally and globally. Students from Xavier shared their first-hand experiences at the Missions in one of our School Assemblies. In Term 2, and under the guidance of Mrs Amanda Russell, we had a number of students involved in manning our Fairy Floss stall. This raised over $1000 for the Jesuit missions in India and South East Asia. In addition, we also had students participating in fashion parades, debates and through their donations.
The 40 Hour Famine for World Vision
This year the 40 Hour Famine for World Vision raised money to help stop the Global Food Crisis. Following a guest speaker at the School, many girls were very moved and decided to act. Students gave up mobiles, speaking, cars, television or food for 40 hours in order to raise nearly $2000 for the cause.
It is impressive to see the results of the students' generosity of time, money and spirit through their workings in this extra-curricular Committee.
Ms Georgina Canty Community Awareness Co-ordinator