Service Learning News Whitsunday Anglican School
Imagine your future. Imagine theirs. Semester Two 2012
International Service Learning Expeditions
Challenge Compassion Action
In this edi*on we have highlighted why we have interna*onal service learning expedi*ons. The reasons, of course, are twofold. Firstly, having an interna*onal expedi*on is an important plank in our quest for interna*onalism. Having students go and live in an overseas area, experience the lifestyle, par*cipate in the everyday problems and even make friends with a person from the region goes a long way towards the ‘Globalisa*on’ of our students and giving them the ability to feel comfortable in a world whose na*onal boundaries are shrinking. This is likely to be the world which they will inherit. Secondly, and more aptly for the School, it is a clear way in which the students can demonstrate service learning. As an
example, our recent trip to Vietnam and Cambodia saw us dona*ng to orphanages, building houses on the Mekong Delta, pain*ng school buildings and dona*ng for wells. We always try to have an element of service learning in our overseas trips though it is not always possible. Our trips are generally open for parents to aLend and I urge you, if you wish to see your children in a more grown up and giving light, then sign up for one of these trips. You won’t be disappointed that you did and you can also be a part of helping out those less fortunate than yourself. AJ Greer, Principal
www.was.qld.edu.au t: (07) 49692000 e: service@was.qld.edu.au CRICOS Provider: 00993J
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The Benefits of International Service Learning Expeditions The digital revolution may have brought the world into the classroom, but it has also fed a desire to take the classroom into the world. It appears the more adept we become at creating and exploring visual worlds, the greater our needs to experience the visual world. The life skills students develop through leadership and service experiences cannot be gained sitting behind a desk or from Facebook 1 . As part of Whitsunday Anglican School’s Internationalism focus and Service Learning program, Year 11 and 12 students have the opportunity to participate in Service Learning expeditions. In this edition we explore the benefits of these experiences.
Sylvie Giguere, School Vice-Captain This year I was able to attend the expedition to Vietnam and Cambodia. It was a truly invaluable experience and the memories which I was able to gain from the trip are irreplaceable. Being able to go to a local Vietnamese orphanage and spend time with kids there was an amazing experience, by the simple act of giving some love and attention to these kids, the activity had a profound effect on all those involved. It was so moving to be able to bring a smile to these children’s faces and when it was time to leave, there were many tears shed. We also had the chance to go to a remote village in the Mekong Delta region and build two houses for a couple of local families there. It was almost impossible to notice the language barrier whilst we were in the village and everyone in the group felt so welcomed by the local villagers as they let us into their homes, making it very hard to leave after three nights. I was assigned to the group building a house for a young couple and their three children, whom had previously been living in a small lean-to consisting of only a couple of rooms. After two gruelling days of brick-laying, digging, tiling and weaving, I got the incredible opportunity to present the house to the family. We were also able to see firsthand the conditions which millions of people across the world live in every day, and to change this for even just two families and see how grateful they were to our school community was very moving. To be able to provide this family with a safe house to raise their children in was an amazing experience, which no one involved will ever forget. In Cambodia we were able to attend a small school, where from our fundraising efforts we were able to sponsor every child’s school fees for a year. We were also able to provide them with sporting and writing equipment and to paint the inside and outside of their four classrooms. After being so lucky to have had the opportunity of a great education myself, to help enrich the education of these children was a real highlight of the trip. Overall, the trip to Vietnam and Cambodia was truly life changing. Having always wanted to incorporate the service of others on a global scale in my future career, the service activities which we had the privilege of being able to participate in have inspired me even further to pursue this goal. It showed me that though in the scheme of the globe, some of these changes may only seem like a drop in the ocean, to those involved, it means everything.
Philip Wyndham, World Youth Adventures World Youth Adventures are firm believers that travel, adventure and community service (experiential learning) offer ways to develop leadership in students in ways which are often far more engaging than what can be achieved in the classroom or on the playing field. Being faced with cultural, physical and emotional challenges develops the participant’s sense of resilience, problem solving skills and ability to manage personal stress levels. Being away from home and the assistance which parents provide requires the individual to have good self-discipline and personal organization skills. The need to be resourceful and responsible for your actions and your belongings builds self-awareness and maturity. Working alongside and engaging with students from a foreign school, which may be located in remote impoverished villages, encourages the students to have a ‘can do’ attitude, to make a difference and have empathy. Working on a common goal such as a community project, with other members of the group engages the student with many important aspects of leadership; project planning, problem solving, decision-making, self confidence and then ultimately reflection once the project is complete. There are many lessons learned and experiences had by students who participate in a service learning project. Often these lessons have a profound impact on the students and shape their views and ambitions in very positive ways. It always makes me smile when I hear participants say that the trip was a lifechanging experience or that the trip was the best thing they have ever done!
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Whitsunday Anglican School
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William McCormack, School Captain 2011 My international expedition with Whitsunday Anglican School in traveling to Mt Kilimanjaro and climbing one of the highest peaks in the world was one which I will never forget. The trip provided me with a range of experiences that I will carry with me throughout the rest of my life. Never having left Australia previously, the expedition was a wonderful opportunity to travel to Kenya and Tanzania; parts of the world I never imagined travelling to at such a young age. It was also a wonderful personal challenge having to consistently train for 6 months before the venture in order to have the physical capacity to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. The rewarding feeling of reaching the summit after months of persistence, hard work and determination was remarkable. Also whilst traveling through Africa we had the opportunity to form many friendships with people from all over the world also completing the hike, many of whom I still talk to today. Lastly, the most rewarding experience from the whole expedition was being able to raise significant funds for the Queensland Cystic Fibrosis Foundation through the sponsorships we had developed. This service learning experience was a fantastic opportunity for us to help those within our community and learn the importance of helping those in need. For anyone thinking about going on the next service learning trip run by Whitsunday, I would highly recommend it! What an amazing opportunity to have a memorable and rare experience in which you’re personally challenged, make a heap of new friends, and have the chance to give back to those in need in your local community and around the world.
William is studying a Bachelor of Medicine and a Bachelor of Surgery at James Cook University
Ms Debra Toohey, Vietnam & Cambodia Expedition Coordinator 2012 If being asked to be responsible for the coordination of an overseas Service Learning Expedition to not one but two Third World countries (neither of which I had ever visited previously) wasn’t daunting enough, to coordinate and plan the expedition with service projects suitable for 37 individuals: nineteen students from Years 11 & 12 (both boys and girls), ten staff and eight accompanying adults from the WAS community certainly was. I felt very privileged and quite honoured that Mr Greer and Ms Grant felt that I was up to the task. As a fledgling expedition organiser it was great to have a knowledgeable travel agent to assist in the expedition’s coordination. Student Educational Adventures (SEA) Travel's efficiency, experience and professionalism made the organisation of the expedition considerably less stressful. Given the logistical and bureaucratic complexities teachers face in running such a expedition, having a travel company that knew the process intimately was a huge help. Working with such professionals to ensure all the service objectives for the expedition would be realised was both exciting and satisfying. I can say with great confidence that this year’s expedition was an experience that will be treasured by everyone involved for many years to come. Our eyes have been opened to the struggles that face those far less fortunate than ourselves but also to the 2013 MT KILIMANJARO difference that can be made by ordinary individuals. I couldn’t have asked for a better EXPEDITION group of generous, hardworking, inspiring I n 2 0 1 3 m e m b e r s o f t h e WA S people to travel and work with. It is hard to community are invited to join the communicate my thoughts on being the expedition to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. Coordinator for this year’s Service Learning Expedition to Vietnam and Cambodia without The group will assist with the fundraising sounding cliché – that is because the experience for Forget Me Not Children’s Home. All truly was one of the most rewarding life money raised will be used to build a experiences I have ever done and I am ever so residential home in Uganda. thankful for being given the opportunity. If you are interested in joining this trip, please contact Mr Nigel McDuff on (07) 4969 2034 or nmc@was.qld.edu.au
Debra is the Head of Learning Enrichment 1 AHISA. Independence. Vol 26, No 2, Oct 2011
Whitsunday Anglican School
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Service Learning Coordinator Welcome to the second edition of the Service Learning News! The aim of this publication is to highlight the many wonderful service activities that our community undertakes and supports. As you read through the pages of this edition, you will notice that our community has a large service footprint. It extends locally, nationally and internationally. You would have noticed that, in this edition, we have highlighted the benefits of our International Service Learning expeditions. It was quite amazing seeing the students and staff return from Vietnam and Cambodia buzzing from their experience. I have no doubt that after each day of house building and school painting, they would have gone to sleep glowing knowing that their work would have made a massive difference to the families involved. These expeditions are an eye-opener for all students, staff and parents who attendbeing able to explore the world, roll up your sleeves and get involved with community work. It really does sound like a must do on anyone’s bucket list! There are also many opportunities for people to roll up their sleeves locally. Our school has continued to support our Year 11 and 12 students with providing a chance for them to visit the Mackay Blood Bank and donate blood. The energy that these two cohorts have demonstrated towards this act of community service is very encouraging. It was wonderful to be able to watch 38 students attend the Blood Bank during the Year 12 final week for one last group donation. Nothing beats the satisfaction of knowing that our students contributed to saving lives with their donations. These students should be proud of their efforts! I encourage everyone to take some time out of their busy schedules and visit the Blood Centre. I want to take this opportunity to thank our 2013 Service Captains, Kelly Hoy and Connor Herron. They have set a wonderful example to all of our community in what it takes to provide leadership in the area of service. Along with organising the weekly blood donations, they have provided wonderful assistance across many of the service activities to ensure that all students are able to participate.
Matt Hodge Service Learning Coordinator
To be awarded a place on the Principal’s List for Service students must complete a certain number of service hours in various school, club or community ac*vi*es within a semester.
Like us on Facebook For further Service Le arning photos and news like our School Facebo ok page http://www.facebook.co m/Wh
itsundayAnglicanSchoo
Year 11 and 12 students need to complete 20 hours. l
Year 9 and 10 students need to complete 15 hours of service.
Principal’s List for Service Semester 1 2012
Year 12 Sylvie Giguere Kyra Martens Sam Meinicke Subarna Raut Melea Ballantyne Connor Herron Manuela Weilbach Emily Fleming Lewis Schmidtke Brendan Morris Kelly Hoy Gabrielle Tickle
Year 11 Emma Tait Tazman Schmidt Dudley Faust Thomas Ruming Ashleigh PigoQ Rachel Sharp Lexi Chisholm
Year 10 Tom Brieffies Jessica Fleming Surenne Van Staden Sarah Wright Amy Lawless
Year 9 Sophie Tait Elyse McCahill Jackson Clarke Kristen Senini
Middle School students are eligible for the award at the end of the year. Whitsunday Anglican School
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Forget Me Not Children’s Home
Service in Short...
Whitsunday Anglican School is aiming to sponsor a Queensland based charity in their quest to provide services to children in Nepal, Uganda and India. This charity, Forget Me Not Children’s Home, is based in Hervey Bay and is led by a group of local volunteers.
Scott Henry, Emma Tait & Jared Hargreaves (Year 11) volunteered their time at the Mackay Ma rina Fun Run
Beginning in 2006, Forget Me Not Children's Home now supports 21 children and young adults and six local staff in Nepal. In sporting ourwings d te is January 2010, they spread their to Uganda with the ss a 28 students ch junior a co to g n ri e initiation of s aby Sponsorship Project. Subsequently, their volunte club Resettlement and Forget Me Not Families Projects were started teams in Uganda in July 2011. A project in India has recently Learning commenced.
Senior School Tutor Groups donated over 35 gift-filled shoe boxes to Operation Christmas Child
Our School aims to build a connection with the charity by assisting with providing goods and services that will help the children in the various nations. We are also exploring ways in which we may be able to head overseas and pitch in with one of their on-going projects. Our Year 11 students have already started to provide support to the charity by purchasing over 40 fully-stocked pencil cases to be sent to the children in Nepal and Uganda. The charity’s founder, Lars Olsen, was the guest speaker at the Year 11 Leadership Dinner and many of the students found his story inspirational.
Interact held their ch angeover lunch during Term 3. Rach el Sharp was inducted as the new clu b President. At the luncheon $1400 wa s donated to a variety of charities
Our group that is travelling to climb Mount Kilimanjaro aims to contribute to our goal of raising $15000 to pay for the building of a boarding house in Uganda to assist with the resettlement of children who have been affected by war and disease. Some Year 11 students have taken on the roles of Forget Me Not Ambassadors and will work at raising awareness of this charity and also assist with the fundraising efforts. This will be another wonderful opportunity for our students to provide charitable works on an international scale.
Chloe Mullan & Sarah Carson volunteered their time to assist the Our Big Kitchen Charity in Sydney
Whitsunday Anglican School
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Service Learning Expedition: Vietnam & Cambodia
With much excitement and trepidation our 37 service learners embarked on their expedition of Vietnam and Cambodia during the June holidays. The expedition was amazing for all involved. We saw so much , did so much (riding elephants around the Bayan Temple on a misty cool morning at the Angkor Wat temple complex) , ate too much (deep fried tarantulas and crickets‌Yum!) and shopped too, too much (same, same but different). Many of the experiences were life-changing for us all. All involved were exposed to many learning experiences and quite a bit of physical exercise. Nothing can compensate for actually seeing how the other half live - and doing whatever we can. Ho Chi Minh City was chaotic. Five million motorcyclists in one city. Families of four and five on one bike whizzing in and out of traffic (with no helmets!) A cyclo tour of the City was a highlight as was our group’s visit to the Thien Phuoc Foster Centre for Disabled Children (many suffering the
long term effects of Agent Orange). All of these children were profoundly disabled either intellectually, physically or both. We had fundraised for this Centre and were thrilled to be able to donate $700US towards their good work, in addition to the toys and clothes for the children we were able to present. The expedition was such a roller coaster of emotions for us all. The visits to the Killing Fields in Phonm Penh, Toul Sleng Prison (S21) and even the Cu Chi Tunnels were confronting but so worthwhile and definitely had a massive impact. The Vietnamese and Cambodian people were all fantastic: so friendly and ever so appreciative of all we were hoping to achieve on expedition. The main service components of our expedition were to build a house for an impoverished family in Vietnam, to paint some classrooms at the Cambodian school we had sponsored and to fundraise for these students to ensure Whitsunday Anglican School
page 7 that they would have the financial means to be able to attend school for the entire school year and that they would be well equipped for the new school. Another one of our aims was to fundraise the cost of two new wells to be built in Cambodia: a continuation of our School’s sponsored wells project (which has been in place for several years now). Our 2012 Service Learning Expedition objectives were achieved and then some. We certainly lived up to our expedition catchcry, a wordplay on WAS: We Are Service which was proudly emblazoned on our shirtbacks. So…how many houses can the hardy service learners build in a village situated in the Mekong Delta in Vietnam? Not one but TWO houses built in TWO days! Who can paint an entire Cambodian village school consisting of four classrooms (internally & externally) in ONE day? We can! How many Cambodian students did we sponsor to ensure that they have the financial means to stay in school for the new school year? 287 children (ages ranging from 4 years to 19 years). How many wells were we able to sponsor to be built in Cambodia? Three! We were also able to provide some financial assistance to another orphanage in Cambodia for the provision of beds, blankets and rice for the children. So many wonderful experiences, so many wonderful memories…. The 2012 Service Learning Vietnam and Cambodia Expedition was a resounding success. All the expedition objectives were achieved. We learnt so much about ourselves and others. As Mahatma Gandhi reminds us: “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others” .
Debra Toohey Expedition Co-ordinator
Whitsunday Anglican School
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Service Learning in the Junior School The Junior School students, staff, families and community continue to provide wonderful service through giving and support of a number of worthy charities. RSPCA and Emmett Withers Once again Emmett Withers, Year 3N, continues to provide superb service to a passion in his young life as a member of the RSPCA. In August this year Emmett and his parents and grandparents organised a fundraiser for the RSPCA. Cup Cake Day provided Emmett with an idea to continue his support of the organisation. He organised a meeting with the Head of Junior School, Mr Mick Martin, to outline his proposal and once he had received a green light Emmett, with his family, spent the weekend baking 230 cup cakes. With the able assistance of two of his peers, Jayde McCarthy and Bella Ackerman, and his grandparents, Don and Gloria Bailey, Emmett sold the cup-cakes to eager Junior School students. In the end Emmett and his crew raised $230.00 that he was able to present to a representative of the Friends of the RSPCA at a Junior School assembly. Whitsunday Anglican School Adopt-A-Cop The Whitsunday Anglican School officially welcomed and inducted as our Adopt-A-Cop Sergeant Brad Olsen (dad of Zach, Year 2F, and Taylah, Year 5L) to the School community at a Junior School assembly in Term 3. Sergeant Olsen has offered his services to the Junior School as a member of the Police Service in an unofficial manner for a number of years now and it is our pleasure to be able to make Brad’s involvement official. Welcome Sergeant Olsen! Anglicare and RSPCA Junior School Christmas As has been the practice at this time each year, the Junior School community is asked to ‘give’ a little to those more needy families in and around Mackay through our Christmas Hamper and Giving Tree projects for Anglicare, as well as Emmett’s annual Pet Christmas Appeal project in support of the RSPCA. The manner in which the Junior School community has embraced and donated to our Christmas Hamper, Christmas Giving Tree and Pet Christmas contributions demonstrates that a true spirit of Christmas is very obvious in the Junior School. As has been the case for the past 7 years we hope to be able to give these hampers and gifts to representatives from Anglicare and the RSPCA at our final Junior School and Kindergarten Chapel Services. Jump Rope for Heart Throughout Term 3 the Junior School students from Prep to Year 4 participated in the National Heart Foundation’s Jump Rope for Heart program. The students were engaged in a variety of skipping activities designed to improve their skipping skills, coordination and general fitness. As this exercise was in aid of the Heart Foundation, the students were also involved in fundraising for the event and as a Junior School we managed to raise over $3500, which is another outstanding effort. Due to the Junior School community’s ongoing fundraising efforts with the National Heart Foundation we have been awarded a national ‘bronze level’ fundraising award. We would like to thank everyone who has donated to this worthwhile cause over the years and thank Miss Tanya Nice for her facilitation of this program.
Whitsunday Anglican School
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World Vision and ChildFund programs The Kindergarten and Prep year students and staff raise funds through their ‘Market afternoons’ to support Ivony, a World Vision child from Zambia. In the past this support has been given to Joana; however, through support such as given by the Whitsunday Anglican School’s youngest students, Joana and her village community have been given the skills and infrastructure to be able to sustain themselves. The Junior School staff continues to support a group of World Fund children: Seydouba from Guinea; Rosa from Honduras; Ramadita from Indonesia; and Tariku from Ethiopia. Mrs Sandy Burnell facilitates this for us. Preparatory Year Poppies There are a number of occasions for the Junior School community to become involved in a myriad of ‘service’ opportunities; however, ‘service’ in the Junior School is not limited to students, staff and families. Our Prep Poppies program with Poppy (Ross) Wallace and Poppy Syd (Cowan) offers a wonderful ‘service’ to our students, and staff, through Poppy Wallace and Poppy Syd giving of their time. The Prep Poppies program allows the students to interact with elder members of our community, swapping tales and playing games. It is a wonderful program that has been running since 2001.
Mick Martin Head of Junior School
Service Learning Days In Term 3 staff and students dressed in their favourite beach gear to support the Eimeo Surf Life Saving Club. All donations on the day were given to the club to help them buy new equipment for the 2012-2013 summer season. Students were shown some valuable information about surf lifesaving by Revd Janet during their fortnight chapel service. The day successfully raised $853.35. Year 12 student Emma Froling presented the cheque to the club at their annual sign on. The Term 4 day focused on supporting the RSPCA Mackay. This Service Learning Day also coincided with World Teacher’s Day, so students were encouraged to wear purple in support of the RSPCA and their teachers. The day successfully raised $692.05. This money was presented to Emmett Withers (3N) who runs an annual appeal for the charity. Thank you to everyone who has supported our Service Learning Days this year. As a community we have raised $5307.95 to go to our four supported charities.
Whitsunday Anglican School
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Service Learning in the Middle School This semester 5M held a mini Olympics, 5L a Jewellery stall, Year 6 hosted a movie night and Year 7 a Read-a-thon. 7H organised a sweet stall of note, 7F a Café and 7V made the ultimate burger on Burger Friday. If that wasn’t enough, 8I sold waffles and 8H tempted many with their sweet stall. The Character Counts Council ran the annual Father’s Day stall and the pancake breakfast was worth getting out of bed for! Currently 5L, led by Samuel Sekac, are raffling the Head of Middle School role for a day and ticket sales are increasing as word spreads that Miss Owens will be wearing a school uniform to school and no homework is the order of the day. The Year 8 cohort are putting together their Christmas hampers to raffle in the coming weeks. This is simply an outstanding effort by the students in the Middle School and the parent body who so willingly provide the support from home enabling the students to raise $3540.25 so far this year. This money provides support for our four World Vision Children in the first instance and students through the Character Counts leadership group will make decisions on what organisations to support further. Our World Vision children include Khey a Year 5 girl from the Philippines, Nishadi a Year 7 girl from Sri Lanka, Samone a Grade 3 boy from Laos and Lela a Year 7 boy from Indonesia. Students will be writing cards to these children in the coming weeks. So far this year the Middle School student body has donated $200.00 to a very worthy building project in Sri Lanka. Parent Mrs Therese Morris spoke to the students on Assembly about her experiences as a volunteer abroad and it was terrific for the students to hear first-hand how their efforts make a difference in the lives of others less fortunate than themselves. Miss Kathryn Pyatt, 7V Tutor teacher, has been selected to represent Australia and World Youth International as a volunteer on an overseas Service Program to Kenya. As a volunteer, Miss Pyatt will be working in a number of institutions for four weeks including schools, orphanages and homes for children living on the streets. The Character Counts Council has donated $200.00 towards this worthy program and we all wish Miss Pyatt a safe and rewarding journey over the summer break and look forward to hearing of her experiences on her return. In the coming weeks the Character Counts Council will make decisions on which Mackay community organisations will receive donations from their fundraising efforts and cheques will be presented on assembly. I would like to commend all of the students who have demonstrated great initiative to drive their Tutor Group activities and to the teachers who have provided the guidance and encouragement that enables the students to be so successful in their quests. Lastly I would like to acknowledge the incredible support of our Middle School parents who so generously give of their time and energy to support the initiatives of the students.
Karen Owens Head of Middle School Whitsunday Anglican School
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WAS Z Club 2012 has been a very busy year for the WAS Zonta Club. We are a small club which has branched from the Mackay Zonta International who encourages women's teamwork, courage, risk-taking, and self-reliance. As we are a small, school club it becomes difficult to tackle some issues as we are not qualified. For this reason we strongly follow the ideas of fellowship and friendship. We are a women’s club eager to spread the awareness of women’s issues. Throughout the course of the year, the Z Club has actively participated in activities outside the school community such as the International Woman’s Day luncheon, several birthing kit operations and had three members enter into the Young Women in Public Affairs Awards. At the International Woman’s Day luncheon the girls assisted in the selling of ‘Jelly Babies’ and helped to raise money for the women’s centre in Mackay. There were two major birthing kit operations in which the girls had the opportunity to participate. In the second semester of the year, the Z Club has had two major events. The first, Dress for Success, is a worldwide organisation that strives to provide underprivileged women with work-appropriate clothing to help increase their employment. This is the first time the Z Club has supported this organisation, but it certainly won’t be the last with fundraising events for this organisation looking to be an annual occurance. Term 4 started with a major week of the Z Club raising awareness of Breast Cancer throughout the school community. This activity was seen as the ‘changeover’ where Year 11 students took up the roles to lead the Z Club in spreading awareness. The week was jam-packed with ribbons being sold throughout the week, a balloon release on the Wednesday and a sizzling BBQ, with the help of Mr Edwards, on the Friday. We have been fortunate enough to now have this week long activity ready and cemented into the calendar next year, and beyond. On the 31st of October we were gathered in the Tindall Centre for our changeover luncheon. At the luncheon the 2012 executive team handed their badges over to the team for 2013. The 2013 Z Club executive will be Emily Long (President), Teresa F o x ( Tr e a s u r e r ) a n d C l a i r e M c C o r m a c k (Secretary). 2012 has been a memorable year, where the Z Club has been able to achieve more, and have activities that will next year be carried on. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Mackay Zonta International and supporting them on women’s rights and issues. It has been fantastic to see the involvement of so many young girls and we look forward to next year.
Emily Long 2013 Z Club President
Whitsunday Anglican School
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Amnesty International 2012 was a successful and active year for the school’s Amnesty Club. Early in the year, the group presented a mock protest in a S e n i o r S c h o o l A s s e m b l y, c o n d e m n i n g t h e F e d e r a l Government’s Stronger Future laws that were passed. These laws allow for continued welfare quarantining and alcohol management for Indigenous Australians in the Northern Territory, and have resulted in public outcry. The school’s protest pointed out the flaws in the new government policy and the racism behind it. Whitsunday’s Amnesty Club supported the 40 Hour Famine, and many members decided to give up food, power or furniture for 40 hours to stand up against poverty. Jazmin Bidgood should be recognized for the effort that she put into organising this event. Participants were invited to attend a sleepover in the Ron Bourne Hall, and everyone broke their fast together with a barbeque breakfast the next day. The Amnesty Club also actively participated in Amnesty International’s petition campaigns. Many students decided to sign petition that called for Russia to stop using its veto power in the UN Security Council against Syria resolutions where, at the time, over 21,000 people were killed. On Friday, October 26, Whitsunday’s third annual pavement art competition was held, to coincide with a Service Learning Day, where each Senior School Tutor Group was given a section of pavement to create chalk art that speaks out against a particular, relevant issue. Some issues that were chosen this year were Australia’s refugee policy (or lack of), children’s right to education and conflict diamonds. Year 9 Ambrose was given an honorable mention, Year 11 Ambrose was awarded best artwork and Year 11 Trinity was awarded best overall message. Participation in the event was widespread, with most Tutor Groups joining in. 2013 is expected to be another good year.
Ryan Branch & Murtaza Kahloon 2013 Co-Presidents
Giving Update... Warrawee Residents Arrive Home! The residents of Warrawee Nursing Home in St George have finally moved back in after almost 10 months and extensive renovations after the devastating floods earlier this year. Many residents were pleased to be in their new rooms which have all been refurbished. They held a “Welcome Home” Morning Tea and each resident was presented with a gift box that our students put together as part of our Term 1 Service Learning Day. The box contained little homely things like playing cards, soaps and hand creams, pens and envelopes and other little trinkets to make the residents smile. The residents were so impressed that the managers have decided to adopt the gift box idea for all new residents on their arrival. Renee Dettmann Head of Trinity House Whitsunday Anglican School
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Old Scholar Snapshot... Jacob Pedersen (Class of 2011) In the September holidays of this year, I was exposed to an extraordinary organisation that is making a positive impact on disadvantaged youth in the community. The Edmund Rice Camps (ERC) creates recreational camping programs for disadvantaged youth and families by providing an opportunity for growth, support and enjoyment. Children on the camp are disadvantaged in a number of ways, including learning incapacities, coming from broken homes, or mental/physical disabilities. In an atmosphere of acceptance, care and fun, children on this camp experience a one-on-one buddy system where volunteer leaders are able to act as positive role models. It was rewarding to observe my buddy, like many others, grow from a withdrawn and shy child to a confident and enthusiastic one. The little buddies are given the opportunity to have a weekend of unrestricted fun, through activities such as paint wars, water fights, beach visits and cooking. Over the camp, we never leave the side of our little buddies, as for some this can be the only time where they are able to positively interact with both children and adults without being neglected or judged. As a first time volunteer leader, I was supported by a network of enthusiastic and inspirational experienced leaders who share the passion for making a positive difference in young people’s lives and their families. I urge any students above the age of 17 to become part of the ERC program; clean clothes highly unlikely, life altering experience guaranteed. Visit http://www.ercqld.org/ for more information on ERC. Jacob is studying Mining Engineering at the University of Queensland. He is also a resident of St. John’s College.
Charity in Focus: Red Cross Blood Service Saving the world isn’t easy… but saving a life is. It’s easy to be a super hero, just roll up your sleeves and donate, you can save 3 lives in your lunch hour. In Queensland, the Red Cross Blood Service needs around 6,000 donations each week just to meet existing demands. Each donation saves 3 lives. In the next decade, demands will double, due largely to advancements in medical science, meaning the Blood Service will need to grow its 1.3 million donations per year to 2.6 million by 2020. By donating blood you are helping to save the lives of people with cancer, help sustain those on renal dialysis and revive trauma victims. There is no replacement product. People in hospital care rely on the donations to stay alive. Let’s break it down a little further... 34% cancer and blood diseases 19% causes of Anemia 18% surgical patients 14% other medical problems including heart stomach and kidney diseases • 10 % orthopedic patients • 4% pregnant women and young children • 2% trauma victims. • • • •
The Whitsunday Anglican School community helps us meet these growing demands by donating each week. They are part of a youth based school program which pits them up against other schools in Mackay to see which school can save the most lives. Last year Whitsunday Anglican School came equal first, and this year the competition is just as tight. The need for blood never stops, currently 1 in 3 people will need blood in their life time, though only 1 in 30 people currently donate. If you are aged between 16-70 years and are feeling well you may be eligible to donate blood. For more information call 131495 or go to www.donateblood.org.au to arrange your appointment.
Whitsunday Anglican School
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Photo Board
Service Learning ev ents coming in 2013
Junior School Jump
Interact Trivia Nigh Middle School Fath Relay for Life
Rope for Heart t
er & Mother’s Day
Stalls
Red Shield Appeal Clean Up Australia
Day
Celeber Drive, Beaconsfield Qld 4740 Po Box 3390, North Mackay Qld 4740
www.was.qld.edu.au t: (07) 49692000
Whitsunday Anglican School