Service Learning

Anglicare Ambassador Advocacy Masterclass

In Week 4, our 18 Year 10 Anglicare Ambassadors attended the Advocacy Masterclass hosted by Anglicare WA – an incredibly powerful and thought-provoking experience focused on advocacy, youth homelessness and the importance of using your voice to create change.

Throughout the evening, students explored the meaning and purpose of advocacy – discussing why people advocate for others, the barriers that can prevent advocacy, and the powerful impact that informed and compassionate voices can have within the community. Students were challenged to think critically about the causes they care about and how they, as young people, can contribute to positive social change.

A major highlight of the evening was the opportunity to explore the Street Connect bus and hear directly from the youth workers behind the program. Street Connect is a youth outreach service operated by Anglicare WA that supports young people aged 15–25 who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Through outreach, advocacy, referrals and support services, the Street Connect team works directly with vulnerable young people across Perth, providing connection, practical assistance and pathways towards stability. 

Students heard firsthand about the often-hidden nature of youth homelessness and the reality that many young people experiencing homelessness are still attending school, couch surfing or sleeping rough while trying to maintain a sense of normality. These conversations were eye-opening and helped students better understand the complexity of homelessness and the importance of empathy, dignity and support services.

The evening became even more impactful as students heard from two guest speakers, Kaya and Sully from YHAC (Youth Homelessness Advisory Council), who courageously shared their lived experiences of homelessness. Hearing stories of navigating homelessness from as young as 13 years old while continuing to attend school deeply resonated with our students. Their honesty, resilience and willingness to educate others created a powerful learning experience that many students will remember for a long time.

To conclude the evening, students participated in an interactive advocacy challenge where they were paired with ambassadors from other schools and tasked with developing an advocacy plan around a cause they felt passionate about. Although there was not enough time for formal presentations, it was fantastic to see students engaging so openly, collaborating with others and beginning to think about the positive change they hope to create within their own communities.

I was incredibly proud of the way our St George’s ambassadors represented the school throughout the evening. Their willingness to ask thoughtful questions, contribute to discussions and engage respectfully with difficult topics was outstanding. It is always inspiring to watch young people begin to recognise the impact they can have within the world around them, and I cannot wait to continue hearing their ideas and seeing the change they hope to bring moving forward.

AnglicareWA 50th Anniversary Impact Launch

To celebrate Anglicare WA’s 50th Anniversary, I had the privilege of attending the Anglicare WA Impact Launch for 2025 alongside our Associate Dean of Student Wellbeing, Mrs Taryn Sephton. The event was an incredibly powerful reflection on the organisation’s history, growth and ongoing impact within Western Australia. 

Throughout the launch, attendees were guided through a visual timeline showcasing Anglicare WA’s journey across the past five decades – from its beginnings in 1976 through to the incredible programs and partnerships that continue to support vulnerable Western Australians today. The exhibition highlighted the evolution of services including family support, emergency relief, mental health initiatives, youth outreach, homelessness support, financial counselling and culturally responsive programs for Aboriginal communities.

An impactful part of the event was hearing from both Anglicare WA’s current and previous CEOs during a panel discussion focused on the growing challenges currently facing Western Australians. Topics such as the housing crisis, youth homelessness, domestic violence, poverty and mental health were discussed openly, alongside the increasing importance of advocacy, partnerships and community-driven support systems. The event reinforced just how significant Anglicare WA’s work continues to be within our community.

As a school, we are incredibly grateful for the strong partnership we continue to share with Anglicare WA. Through opportunities such as our Anglicare Ambassador Program, advocacy initiatives, the Sleep Out, Street Connect engagement and service-learning opportunities, our students are able to develop a deeper understanding of social justice, empathy and community responsibility.

It was particularly inspiring to see the large-scale impact that organisations such as Anglicare WA are having across the state. The 2025 Impact Report highlighted some remarkable statistics, including over 40,000 calls for emergency relief, more than 4,500 support incidents through Street Connect, and over 19,000 hours of counselling and support provided across WA. These figures are a powerful reminder of both the challenges faced within our community and the importance of organisations committed to walking alongside people during difficult times.

One of the most meaningful elements of the event was seeing the way Anglicare WA continues to focus not only on immediate support, but also on long-term advocacy, dignity and systemic change. It was inspiring to reflect on how important community partnerships are in creating positive futures for young people and vulnerable members of our community.

The evening was not only a celebration of Anglicare WA’s history, but also a hopeful and inspiring look towards the future. We are incredibly thankful for the opportunities our students have to learn from and work alongside such a meaningful organisation, and we look forward to continuing this partnership in the years ahead.

Year 8 Camp: Rain, resilience and remarkable team spirit

In Week 6, our Year 8s set off to Dwellingup for their Year 8 Camp, ready for a few days of adventure, challenge and connection. This camp provided students with the opportunity to strengthen existing friendships, form new ones and continue building their confidence as a cohort.

Students participated in a range of activities across the camp, including mountain bike riding, archery tag, forest ecology and animal care, abseiling, rock climbing, the flying fox, orienteering and team-building challenges. Although we were greeted with a very rainy first day, with more than 50mm of rain, our Year 8s showed great resilience and positivity. They braved the weather, embraced the muddy moments and continued to give each activity their best shot.

One of the evening highlights was the night walk, where students had the opportunity to experience the bush in a very different setting. There may have been a few jump scares from staff along the way, which certainly added to the excitement! From what I hear, this was a highlight for many students and created plenty of laughs and stories to bring back home.

What stood out most across the camp was the way this year group supported one another. It was wonderful to see students cheering each other on, stepping up as leaders within their groups and encouraging their peers to step outside their comfort zones. One of the special qualities of this cohort is their ability to come together and support others, even when they may not usually spend time in the same friendship circles. They showed care, understanding and a genuine desire to see one another succeed.

We also had many students who consistently offered to help, whether it was cleaning up, supporting staff, helping their peers or simply noticing what needed to be done and stepping in. These small acts of kindness and responsibility did not go unnoticed and are a real credit to the character of this group.

We are incredibly proud of all students who attended camp and gave it their best. From rainy challenges to high ropes, muddy shoes, shared laughs and new friendships, Year 8 Camp was a memorable experience that brought the cohort closer together.

A huge thank you must also go to the staff who made this camp possible: Mrs Taylor, Ms Bauer, Mrs Evans, Mr Busby, Mrs Lefroy, Mr McKie, our bike riding expert Dr Jenkins, and Mr Dempers. Their energy, care, encouragement and willingness to brave the rain alongside the students helped make the camp such a positive and meaningful experience.

Well done, Year 8s. You should be very proud of the way you represented yourselves and supported one another throughout camp.

Free Dress for Samoa

Today, our school community will come together for a special Free Dress Day in support of All Saints Anglican School in Samoa.

In the upcoming June/July holidays, two of our students will be travelling to Samoa as part of a Service-Learning experience, with more students also preparing to take part in the program during the Term 3 holidays. During their time in Samoa, students will have the opportunity to spend time at All Saints Anglican School, immerse themselves in the local culture and assist with children’s learning and daily school life.

This experience provides students with a meaningful opportunity to grow in empathy, leadership, cultural awareness and global understanding, while also contributing to a valued Anglican school community beyond our own.

Students and staff are invited to wear free dress on Friday and bring a gold coin donation, with all funds raised going towards supporting those participating in the Samoa Service-Learning trip. We are thrilled to share that, thanks to the generosity and enthusiasm of our students and staff, we raised $909.45.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated, donated and helped make the day a success. Your support will go a long way in helping our students contribute meaningfully during their time in Samoa.

Lap-A-Thon Update

As part of St George’s Day earlier this term, our Year 10 students participated in a Lap-A-Thon fundraiser in support of the Starlight Foundation.

We are incredibly proud to share that the Year 10 cohort raised an outstanding $3,307 for this important cause.

The Starlight Foundation works to brighten the lives of seriously ill children and their families through programs that bring happiness, connection and support during incredibly difficult times. It was wonderful to see our students embrace the opportunity to contribute towards such meaningful work while also participating in a fun and active community event.

This achievement would not have been possible without the incredible generosity and support of our students, families and wider school community. Whether through sponsorships, donations, encouragement or participation on the day itself, every contribution played a role in helping us reach this fantastic total.

Beyond the fundraising itself, the Lap-A-Thon was a wonderful reflection of the spirit of service and community we continue to foster at St George’s. Students demonstrated enthusiasm, encouragement towards one another and a genuine willingness to contribute positively to the lives of others.

We would also like to give a special shout out to the highest fundraiser from each House:

• Lincoln: Liam Thompson - $353 
• Gandhi: Caitlin Humphreys - $500
• Mandela: Denny Ransom - $152
• Cowan: Romilly Jones - $450

A huge thank you again to everyone who supported the initiative. We are incredibly proud of the compassion and generosity shown by our Year 10 cohort and look forward to continuing to build meaningful service opportunities within our school community.

Cape York 2027 launch

In Week 5, current Year 9 and Year 10 students were introduced to an exciting new opportunity launching at St George’s Anglican Grammar School in 2027 - our inaugural Cape York First Nations Service-Learning Immersion in partnership with Red Earth.

This opt-in immersion experience will be available to students entering Years 10 and 11 in 2027 and is designed to provide a meaningful opportunity for students to connect with First Nations communities, culture and Country through authentic relationship-building, cultural learning and service.

During the launch sessions, students were introduced to the purpose of the immersion, the proposed itinerary, and the types of experiences they may take part in. The program will include opportunities to stay on Country with Traditional Owners, learn directly from Elders and community members, contribute to community-led projects, take part in cultural activities, and explore significant natural environments such as Cape York, the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef.

A key focus of the immersion is not simply travel, but connection. Students will be encouraged to approach the experience with curiosity, respect and openness as they learn more about First Nations culture, community, sustainability and reconciliation in action.

Families were also invited to attend an online Parent Information Session with Red Earth on Wednesday 3 June, where further details about the program, safety, costings, itinerary, expectations and application process were shared.

Expressions of Interest are now open for students wishing to be considered for the immersion. As places are limited, students are required to complete an application form and submit the required deposit by 21 June. The application process will help ensure students understand the commitment involved and are well suited to the expectations of the experience.

This is an incredibly exciting step forward in our Service-Learning program at St George’s. Opportunities such as this allow students to grow in empathy, independence, resilience, leadership and cultural understanding, while also developing a deeper awareness of their role within the wider Australian community.

We look forward to seeing the interest in this program grow and are excited about the meaningful learning and personal growth this immersion may provide for our students in 2027.

Jeans for the Jump

Next Friday (12 June), students and staff are invited to take part in Jeans for the Jump, a free dress initiative raising funds for our school’s participation in the Central Park Plunge later this year.

The Central Park Plunge, taking place in Term 4, will see members of our St George’s community take on the challenge of abseiling down Central Park in the Perth CBD to raise funds for Anglicare WA and support the important work they do within our community.

For Jeans for the Jump, students and staff are encouraged to wear jeans with appropriate free dress and bring a gold coin donation to support the cause.

This initiative follows on from our Term 1 fundraiser, Silly Socks for the Summit, which raised an incredible $487.10. We are hoping to continue building momentum and support as we work towards our Central Park Plunge fundraising goals.

Thank you in advance to all students, families and staff for supporting this initiative. We look forward to seeing plenty of denim around the school next week!

Miss Sadie Yoxall

Head of Service Learning & Camp Programs