Service Learning

St George’s sleepout raises $6,777

Our wonderful current and past Anglicare Ambassadors took part in the Anglicare WA School Sleep Out at the WACA Ground – a powerful event that raises awareness and vital funds to support young people experiencing homelessness.

Funds raised through the School Sleep Out go directly to Anglicare WA’s Street Connect service, which supports young people who are sleeping rough or experiencing homelessness, helping them access safety, support and pathways to get their lives back on track.

The night was a meaningful and eye-opening experience for our students, who gave up the comfort of their warm beds to sleep out alongside students from schools across WA. Throughout the evening, students took part in activities designed to deepen their understanding of homelessness, while also braving the cold overnight conditions.

We are incredibly proud to share that through individual fundraising and Hoodies for Homelessness St George’s raised an outstanding $6,777, far exceeding our original fundraising goal. Across all participating schools, the event has now raised more than $206,000. This is an incredible achievement and a true reflection of the generosity and compassion of our school community.

A special congratulations goes to Hannah Shewell, who was our highest individual fundraiser, raising an amazing $560. Hannah will also receive an Anglicare WA gold pin in recognition of her efforts.

A heartfelt thank you goes to all students who participated, as well as their families and friends who supported their fundraising efforts. Thank you also to Ms Emma Smith, Dr Brett Jenkins and Father Rhys Roberts-Brown, who generously volunteered their Friday night to support our students and brave the conditions alongside them.

This experience not only raised important funds but also encouraged our students to reflect on the challenges faced by young people without a safe and stable place to call home. We are so proud of our Anglicare Ambassadors for their compassion, commitment and willingness to step outside their comfort zones to make a difference.

Purple craze sends clear message

This year’s Wear it Purple theme, Colours of Courage, celebrated the many different ways courage can be shown in our everyday lives. Courage can be found in speaking up, standing beside others, asking for support, being proud of who you are and helping to create spaces where everyone feels safe, accepted and valued. The theme was a wonderful reminder that courage does not always have to be loud or visible, sometimes it is found in the small choices we make to support and include those around us.

Throughout our celebration on 28 August, students and staff added plenty of purple to the campus, with purple jumpers, socks, ribbons, jewellery, hats and other accessories proudly worn alongside the school uniform. It was fantastic to see so many members of our community getting involved and showing their support.

Wear It Purple Day provides an important opportunity to reinforce the message that every young person deserves to feel safe, respected, supported and valued for who they are. At St George’s, this message connects strongly with our commitment to creating a community where individuality is celebrated and everyone feels a genuine sense of belonging.

The colour and enthusiasm across the school served as a simple but meaningful reminder that small actions can send a powerful message of support to those around us.

Thank you to all of our students and staff who embraced the day and helped fill St George’s with purple. It was wonderful to see our community standing together and demonstrating that everyone matters at St George’s.

City to Surf superstars

Last Sunday, no less than 36 St George’s students generously gave up their morning to volunteer at the City to Surf water station in Jolimont.

Arriving early and ready to get involved, our students spent the morning supporting the many runners and walkers making their way along the course. They handed out water and electrolytes, kept the station organised, encouraged participants as they passed, and brought plenty of energy, enthusiasm and good vibes to the event.

It was fantastic to see our students working together, showing initiative and embracing the spirit of service. Their encouragement made a real difference to participants, with many runners and walkers expressing their gratitude as they moved through the water station. Whether it was a quick cup of water, a cheer from the sidelines or a friendly smile, our students helped create a positive and uplifting atmosphere for all involved.

A huge thank you to each of the students who volunteered their time. Giving up a Sunday morning is no small thing, and we are incredibly proud of the way they represented St George’s Anglican Grammar School. Their kindness, teamwork and willingness to serve others were a wonderful reflection of our school community.  

Miss Sadie Yoxall

Head of Service Learning & Camp Programs

(See how staff runners fared on the Superstars page at the end of this newsletter).