HOUSE SERVICE AND MISSION PROJECTS

LEISA RADLEY - DIRECTOR OF FORMATION AND COLLEGE CULTURE (YEARS 7-12)

As our Senior College grows, we aim to create a culture of service and mission so that our students have both a sense of pride in their House identity, but also an opportunity to serve others.

Throughout the year, each House had its own focus term: Penola in Term 1, McCormack in Term 2, Cunningham in Term 3 and Tenison in Term 4. During their focus term, students in each House run prayer on Assembly, host a College-supported Mass and are in charge of running a service or a mission activity.

Penola House: World's Greatest Shave

On Friday, 3 June, a dedicated group of Senior students–ranging from Year 7 through to Year 12–shaved their heads, cut their hair and had their legs waxed to stand in solidarity with Australians who have been diagnosed with blood cancer, such as Leukaemia. Students in Penola House, along with Mr Cavanough and Mr Chivers, promoted this year's event and smashed last year's $7000 total out of the park.

In total, students and staff raised almost $9000 for the Leukaemia Foundation this year! Those who shaved, cut or waxed their hair also showed their peers that–as a Catholic community–it is crucial that we stand with those who are vulnerable and to be witnesses to the Josephite mission promoted by our patroness, Mary MacKillop.

Well done to all

involved!

A big thank you to Dylan Schmaling who was a dedicated House Captain for Penola House this year.

McCormack House: Colour Run for MND

The students of McCormack House aim to espouse the values of Sister Irene McCormack, who was energetic, determined, but also humble in her mission. The colour yellow, worn by McCormack students, symbolises energy!

McCormack staff and students again chose to focus on Motor Neurone Disease and aimed to raise money for MND and Me Foundation. This foundation supports people and their families living with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in Queensland.

On Friday, June 10, McCormack House's Senior school Colour Run occurred. There was a wonderful vibe amongst the students who donned their white clothing and raced through the Senior campus, stopping only for push ups, burpees, Zooper Doopers and to be smashed by colour! All money raised by students was donated to the MND and Me Foundation. We look forward to another amazing Colour Run in 2023!

Well done to Taylor Blackley who captained McCormack House with great dedication and spirit during 2022.

Cunningham House: Mini Carnival and Red Cross

Cunningham House's service initiative this year involved running mini carnival games at the Senior College Athletics Carnival, selling homemade savoury mince subs, hot chips and lollies at the canteen and also encouraging many dedicated staff to donate blood. Well done to Cunningham House staff and students who successfully raised over $1200 to donate to Red Cross "Life Blood".

A huge congratulations to Breanna Langley–Cunningham House Captain–who led her House proudly this year and was always ready with an idea and awesome House spirit.

Tenison House: Mental Health and Wellbeing Awareness

During Term 4, Tenison House worked collaboratively to raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing. Students ran a number of activities throughout the term which culminated in a whole-school pizza party, which raised funds for the Black Dog Institute. The students were able to raise over $500 as well as start conversations about how we, as a community, can be proactive in looking after our own mental health and wellbeing.

This initiative has allowed Tenison students to enact the 6P's of Mary MacKillop; they chose a cause they are passionate about, imagined all of the possibilities for how to spread awareness, modelled how to persevere through challenges, they partnered together to take practical action and prayed for strength in themselves and others.

Congratulations to the Tenison House Captain for 2022, Sarah Carr! Thank you for your spirit and dedication to leading the house in the various carnivals and house-based events.