Social Service Week at Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School is a celebration held at the end of Term 2 every year where the staff and students host fun activities to fundraise for charity.
This year, the school chose to support mental health and literacy. After deciding to support the Kid’s Helpline, the school’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Committee suggested also donating to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF).
Teacher, Christine, said that the RAP Committee’s suggestion was unanimously supported by staff and students, who favoured the ILF because f their appreciation of literacy and desire to learn more about First Nations culture.
Year 6 School Captains Elisa, Helena and Ava, helped to organise their schools' Service Week.
“Service Week included lots of fun activities and events to raise money for charity. There were pool parties, lunchtime discos, … and the Preps dressed up in costumes that begin with the letter P. Year 5 even had a crazy hair day!” said Elisa.
Helena explained that the event that raised the most money was the Year 4 Walkathon.
“With family and friends sponsoring the students, fun music, and laughs and cheers being shared with one another, this was one of the most enjoyable activities. The Walkathon raised $8,103, which is a Social Service Week record!”
The most popular event was the Prep to Year 6 raffle. The tickets were $20, and everyone had an equal chance of winning.
While the students loved participating in the activities, they also took pride in raising money for important causes.
“Even though it is a lot of fun, the main purpose of Social Service Week is to give donations to our charities. This makes all the money even more special, because we make someone’s life easier for education support,” said Ava.
The week was so well embraced that Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School raised an incredible $10,000 for the ILF!
When asked how they felt about the fundraiser, Elisa, Helena and Ava said they were definitely proud.
“I felt like we were doing a good thing for the community. And also that it is actually helping by fundraising. Helping lives and education,” said Elisa.
“I felt very proud and inspired that we could help out children and families. I found it comforting, it made me very happy!” explained Helena.
Ava said that “I felt very proud to be able to help someone whose life isn’t easy and has more struggles to face We all have challenges but sometimes families go through bigger stuff, and they just need something to help them out a bit.”
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