DIRECTOR OF STUDENTS REPORT

As winter begins to drop its cold curtain over the Riverina, it is time again for warm fires, rugging up in warm clothes and snuggling under blankets.

For many families in our town, region and State that will be harder than ever this winter.  The impact of COVID-19 is visible, not necessarily with infection rates but in underemployment and unemployment rates.  Combine this with the summer bushfires which left many families in temporary accommodation and we have a looming physical and mental health crisis.

Last term I wrote an article about the importance of kindness and indeed the mental health benefits of practising random acts of kindness for both the giver and receiver.

Enter the College Vinnies Winter Appeal.  A joint initiative conceived and organised by the current Year 12 and Year 9 Leadership teams.  The students at our College realise the importance of helping others in our community and have made contact with our local branch of the St Vincent de Paul.  

Each Tuesday and Thursday, during Homeroom time, the House Captains from Year 9 and Year 12 will collect donations of unwanted clothes (in good condition) and blankets from students and tally the items as points for their Houses.  Each item of clothing, blanket or doona will be calculated as points.  The Regional Manager of St Vincent de Paul, Mr Peter Burgess was on the radio just this week saying that as the winter stretches on and JobKeeper and JobSeeker begin to finish in September many, many families are going to need assistance.

The College Vinnies Winter Appeal is a whole school initiative that all students should feel proud to be a part of.  Our school and Youth Engagement Officer, Cindy James is confident that the clothes and blankets we donate can provide comfort for others and also generate much needed funds through sales in St Vincent de Paul shops.

Random acts of kindness are good for the mental health of the giver, the receiver, and the whole community.

Ross Kennedy | Acting Director of Students