Faith, Justice and Formation
Winter Sleep Out 2024
For more than ten years St Patrick’s College has been running a Winter Sleep Out to allow students an opportunity to step out of their comfort zones and experience a taste of life with limited resources and comforts. It is an empathy exercise bringing light to the issues that plague hundreds of thousands of Australians, and many more around the world. Part of the evening is about learning and dispelling myths around ‘homelessness’ which today has spread much more into looking out for people who may have a roof over their head but very limited other resources to survive as we do. Some myths include: the majority of homeless people are adult males when in fact today the largest group is middle aged women, and homelessness will never happen to us, but in fact unexpected life events and lack of support networks can lead anyone into this state quite quickly.
Well done to all students who took up the challenge to sleep outside in the cold with limited food and many moments of boredom. Thomas Coorey, our Social Justice Prefect, will tell us more about the night below, but I must thank two groups of people.
First, thanks to the senior students from SJAG who put together a plan for the evening. Despite not having time for everything, they put a lot of effort into presentation and led a lot of conversation in showing respect and acknowledging the dignity of those who live on the margins, while posing many suggestions on what we can do. A special mention to Daniel De Pasquale, who facilitated the program with the support of Thomas Coorey, Joshua Santangelo and William Chahin.
My biggest thanks go to the staff who give up their personal time to allow your sons to have these opportunities. They are amazing and, on the night, allowed for everything to run smoothly, with many of them being long-time supporters of the event. Basically, the Winter Sleep Out last Friday night would not have happened without their presence and I acknowledge and give great thanks to Mrs Jasmine Porter (Cocoordinator of the event), Mr Matthew Herro, Mr Jordan Bottalico, Mr Stephen Cooper, Mrs Joanne Cupac, Mrs Jessica Lonard, Ms Linda Zambrano, Ms Annelise Macolino, Mrs Surekha Chander, Mrs Jacinta Moses, Mr Hayes van der Meer, Mr Albert Jenson, Mr Damian Chase and Mr Robert Simpson. I have so much gratitude for these wonderful people!
Congratulations to all boys who earned some extra sponsorship money, which was optional. If anybody still has money to contribute, they are to give it to Mrs Porter by next week at the latest. All money raised will go to SVDP Homelessness services.
Thank you again to all involved. Now is the time to turn our learnings into action and see what we can do to contribute to the eradication of homelessness.
Live Jesus in our hearts, forever.
Gillian Daley
Director of Identity
Winter Sleep Out
Last Friday evening, the College held its 11th Annual Winter Sleep Out. This night is always a valuable and rewarding experience, offering boys the opportunity to learn about and empathise with the homeless. Over 200 boys and staff signed up this year, signifying the worthwhile nature of this event.
The program, put together by the members of SJAG, opened with a discussion of common myths surrounding homelessness in Australia led by Ms Daley. The boys found this very insightful, questioning their preconceptions regarding both homeless people and what it means to be homeless. This set the tone for a night of engaging education and understanding.
Soon thereafter, the boys and staff had a dinner of soup and a single bread roll, with the aim of replicating an average night on the streets. Before we began the next session, we formed a production line to package the toiletries collected from the Winter Appeal into packages, creating care packs that will be distributed to rough sleepers. Then, we continued with a discussion led by the Identity Prefects. This session involved learning about homelessness as an issue, and ending with some practical ways we can help alleviate the issue, including volunteering and having conversations.
Ultimately, this Winter Sleep Out was an amazing opportunity to experience the reality for one of the most vulnerable groups in our society. I’d like to thank Ms Daley, Ms Porter, and all the staff and students who facilitated the event. I would absolutely recommend it to all students for next year, as it is truly invaluable to experience a taste of another person’s life and to stand in solidarity with the homeless.
Thomas Coorey | Social Justice Prefect
Alice Springs Immersion 2024
Werte (Hello)! During the holidays nine of my peers and I were privileged to be granted an opportunity to go to Mparntwe (Alice Springs), to work closely with the students from the St Joseph’s Flexible Learning Centre. One thing that resonated with me in our experience is the rich culture and values that the First Nations people hold.
The lifelong connections that each of us built with the students from St Joseph’s are nothing short of incredible. Having been welcomed and invited into their community, with nothing but love was an illustration of their friendliness and humility. One thing that deeply touched us as a group is how joyful each of the fellas we talked to truly are, regardless of each coming from a background of poverty or struggle. Upon reflecting on this, I realised how we as individuals from a privileged background value materials and money in life, whereas the First Nations peoples value culture and family, which is something we could all learn from.
We were privileged to meet Armani Francois, the Chief Youth Minister in the NT Youth Parliament, who is the daughter of the deputy principal at St Joseph’s, John. She touched on the Voice Referendum and the current crime going on throughout Alice Springs. Armani believes that the solution to crime in Alice Springs may be found in simply talking to the misunderstood and underrepresented youth. There is a lack of understanding about the community, and their inter-generational trauma, loss of identity, and loss of language which eventually leads to a “loss of purpose”.
“You’re walking in town, and you see someone clench their bag … or they stare and think 'she’s probably aggressive', and it hurts your heart,” (Armani)
I firmly believe that we as a community should stand together to help change the future for the better. With around 1600 students, each of whom has a voice, we as the young people of St Patrick’s can help shape our future. The result of the referendum last year brought Armani’s mum to tears. No doubt we can do better. It is crucial that everyone has a voice, including our First Nations peoples, and that we together stand to protect them and work alongside them as one family under God, letting our light shine.
Our immersion experience taught us about culture, the issues facing our nation and about ourselves. We are truly grateful.
Julian Galimi | Year 11 Student