'Mission Possible' for our Penrhosians

'Mission Possible' for our Penrhosians

Penrhos College’s annual ‘World’s Greatest Shave’ event was a record-breaker this year, generating more than $71,000 for the Leukemia Foundation’s 'Mission Possible' fundraiser in what was a major boost on the College’s previous record of $33,000.

Our 31 Secondary School volunteers were sponsored to shave, cut or colour their hair for what has become an important highlight in the College’s Community Service calendar, with Community Service Captain Emily Lassam, and fellow Year 12 Danielle Soe, leading the charge as the top two fundraisers.

"The Greatest Shave has always been a part of our lives at Penrhos. I have been inspired watching the girls in the Margaret Way Courtyard each year, doing something that has a genuine impact", explained Danielle.

Danielle grew her hair in preparation for cutting off her ponytails for the cause, while Emily shaved her head.

Emily attributes her success in personally raising $26,580 to the supportive network around her.

‘I shared the fundraising link with my friends and family, who then shared it with their friends, workplaces and business contacts,’ said Emily, ‘I could not have done it without them’. Emily said the Leukemia Foundation’s vital work towards finding a cure was a major motivator for her.

Danielle was excited to discover the various uses for donated hair. "I only learned this year that hair which is too short to be used for wigs is turned into compost, or into floating booms to absorb oil spills at sea, which is amazing".

In line with health guidelines in place at the time, the event (which is typically held in the Margaret Way Courtyard) was instead live-streamed from the Rixon Theatre so that families, friends and classmates could be involved in the big day, no matter where in the world they were. Parents of participants were invited to come along, with some even stepping up to help make the first chop!

Among the parents present was Rebecca Guthrie, mum to our only Year 11 student involved, Eloise. Rebecca said Eloise had been considering it for some time. "Like so many others, we have a connection to someone who has passed from blood cancer," said Rebecca, "so it was a very personal decision for Eloise to get involved". Having had long hair for most of her life, Eloise’s commitment to cut it off was a big one and born of her strong desire to support such a worthwhile cause.

Nike Gozali, mum to Year 8 participant Chelsea Pereira, said the World’s Greatest Shave had been something Chelsea had always wanted to be part of. "Chelsea’s older brother, who is at Wesley College, has done this for three years now, and I think this helped inspire her involvement", said Nike.

The parents were all very proud of their girls’ involvement.

Serene De Gruchy’s father, Steve, said events like this help show girls the positive contribution they can make to society in lots of different ways.

After shaving the long locks she’d had for most of her life, Serene said she felt good about participating, while fellow shaver, Caitlyn Kealley, said it was great to support the cause, and that her head felt a little cooler!

Penrhos College has a strong ethos of service to others, and Community Service is an integral part of our students’ learning journey. The experience of being involved in service for others enables girls to develop their spirit of giving and social participation, to grow their appreciation of human need, and to enhance their understanding of the individual self and others in the context of the wider community.

2022 participating students

Maddie Marshall, Alexa Kelly, Diba Almassi, Matilda Killham, Asha Audeyev, Isabelle Siddall, Jayda Barnes, Chelsea Pereira, Jesslyn Inkiriwang, Lucy Jenkins, Imogen Knight, Serene de Gruchy, Caitlyn Kealley, Jane McCawley, Eloise Guthrie, Amelia Hayes, Dannielle Soe, Alexia Zammit, Ella Major, Sophie Trainer, Bella Critch, Sasha Rimington, Lily Lock-Hall, Tara Walter, Mikaela de Kok, Andrea Koh, Aimee Lee, Emily Lassam, Neve Paulin, Lilah Di Noto, Catherine Shan.

Nine of our participants were also daughters of our alumni. Well done to the girls (and proud mums), including: Maddie Marshall (Tanya Brooks, 1991), Matilda Killham (Cassie Killham, nee Alp, 1998), Lucy Jenkins (Caroline Jenkins, née Windsor, 1991), Alexia Zammit (Rhodita Zammit, née Marsell, 1988), Ella Major (Judy Baldock, 1988), Bella Critch (Jen Critch, née Edwards, 1995), Lily Lock-Hall (Samantha Lock, 1986), Mikaela de Kok (Michelle de Kok, née Giardina, 1996) and Emily Lassam (Helen Lassam, née Woodley Page, 1991), and to grandaughters Imogen Knight (Sherryl Gamble, née Brown, 1967) and Eloise Guthrie (Gail Harrison, née Caldwell, 1967).