Pastoral Care News

Welcome back to what I know will be another busy term.

Already we have fulfilled one of our three CAREVAN cooking requirements for the term and had a fun filled Friday acknowledging Stress Down Day.

This term the C.A.T will be focusing on one of the domains from our Vision Statement; Stewardship. We hope to conduct a range of activities which can better utilize our resources, reduce our carbon footprint and show kindness and love for those within our community who are sometimes forgotten. We will be supporting NEEDY PAWS who will be the recipient of a canned food drive and hopefully work towards raising some much-needed funds; so that they can continue to provide this vital service for our furry friends. We will investigate and promote what it takes to be a responsible pet owner and promote the “Adopt don’t shop” motto.

This term we would also like to extend our recycling program and with thanks to Mrs MacIntosh and her son Callum we have become aware of an innovative program called “Lids for Kids”. Developed by Envision; a not-for-profit charity who have paired up with Rotary to deliver the project turning recycled plastic bottle caps into prosthetic hands and arms.

Using a $300 3D printer and a handmade machine that turns bottle caps into filament, the team can custom-make a hand that allows the wearer to undertake basic tasks such as picking up a cup or holding a fork. The team is keen to create 100 of these prosthetic limbs for kids in disadvantaged communities throughout Cambodia and other Third World countries – but first, they need people to donate as many plastic bottle caps as they can.

We will continue to donate our plastic bottles for recycling locally with donations going to CAREVAN but we will be removing all lids and giving them to Rotary. We would also welcome any caps from home or from any business houses so please contact us if you would also like to be part of this amazing program. Caps/lids can be left at the front office or given to homeroom teachers.

Slowly but surely, we will continue to introduce additional items to our recycling program. We will promote turning off lights when not required and work towards having recycle bins for paper/cardboard more readily accessible around the school. Our uniform pool is a positve example of how we can reduce and recycle simultaniously and there is a clear reduction in the amount of plastic wrap being placed in the garbage. Change takes time ; but if we set realistic goals then I am more than confident that we will achieve wonderful things by the end of this year and our new habits will become part of our daily routine.

Have a wonderful weekend; stay safe and stay warm.

Regards Sue Hone (Pastoral Care Worker)