John Wollaston Anglican Community School

JOHN WOLLASTON ANGLICAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL

SERVING THE COMMUNITY

With a proud tradition of giving back to the community, students and staff at John Wollaston Anglican Community School are going all out for Anglicare.

In order to teach students the importance of fostering a kind heart towards others, staff and students donate their time, goods and money to help support Anglican agencies across Western Australia.

Traditionally Founders’ Day is a time of giving, with families contributing to a specific cause in commemoration of the day. This year, students exchanged donations for tokens which were redeemable at the Founders’ Day Marketplace Stalls, raising $3,000 for St Bart’s, the Anglican organisation offering accommodation and support to people experiencing homelessness.

In June, Hale House joined forces with Anglicare WA to support the Youth Externally Supported (YES!) Housing program in the lead up to Hale House Day. Anglicare WA’s YES! Housing is a not-for profit helping young people aged 15 to 25 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, access and maintain stable, longerterm housing.

Hundreds of items including toasters and pillows, tinned food and cleaning products were donated and delivered to the YES! Housing program to provide some of the necessities to people living in emergency or transitional housing. Principal Anne Ford said the School had had an overwhelming response from staff, students and their families for the Hale Day Appeal. “As a school community we hope the donated items will help provide young people with the basics they need to get started in their new homes,” Ms Ford said.

During the recent Anglicare WA School Sleep Out, 17 students exchanged their school bags for sleeping bags to spend the night sleeping under the stars at Optus Stadium, helping shine a light on youth homelessness in Western Australia.

Students had the opportunity to experience the challenges that homeless youth face every day, seeking ways in which they can become hope-sharing advocates for social justice. Students raised more than $5,000 for Anglicare WA’s Street Connect program.

Ms Ford said the experience helped students gain an understanding of what it meant to be homeless.

“Students develop an understanding of the variety of circumstances that can lead to a person becoming homeless and also learn how difficult it can be to pick yourself up and move forward when every day is a challenge,” she said.

“It’s important for students to see how hard Anglicare works to help the plight of the homeless and what a valuable role they play in supporting those in need in our community.”

Year 12 Service Prefect, Lucy Butterfield-Cole said: “We can all do our part to make a difference. Our privilege at John Wollaston can be used to ignite a path that creates positive change for the homeless.”