#2.5 - The Social Justice Issue
Christmas Appeal Beyond the Bell
TheSeasonOfShowingUp
The Santa Sophia Social Justice team brings you the gift of giving, because small acts = big change.
One simple gesture can make an entire Christmas unforgettable for someone in need.
Social Justice Initiatives
Not Every Christmas Comes Wrapped Christmas Appeal
As the year winds down, most of us are thinking about holidays, food, and finally catching up on the sleep we ’ ve avoided since Term 1. Christmas usually feels predictable: family traditions, end-of-year chaos, and the never-ending joy of a break. But for some families in our own community, Christmas looks very different. While we’re counting down to a break, they’re counting the things they can’t afford. That’s why our Santa Sophia Christmas Appeal matters so much.
From Monday, 17th to Friday, 28th November, students are invited to bring in non-perishable items for the Vinnies Christmas Hamper Appeal. These hampers go directly to families who genuinely need them, and for many of them, this support is the reason Christmas feels like Christmas at all. It doesn’t take much: a packet of pasta, a tin of fruit, long-life custard, and even decorations. The kind of things we walk past in the pantry without thinking twice. Dropping something off in the mornings at Gate 1 or 2 takes a minute, but for another family, that one item makes the difference between an empty cupboard and a real Christmas meal
Younger students also have the chance to contribute through Operation Cuddly Toys with collections running from Monday, 1st to Friday, 5th December. Students in K-4 can donate one brand-new soft toy no bigger than an A3 piece of paper. These toys go to children spending Christmas in the Paediatric Ward at Blacktown Hospital
Term 4 2025
For most kids, Christmas morning means excitement; for a child in a hospital bed, it can feel lonely. A simple teddy, something we might barely notice buying, can make their day feel a little warmer, a little more normal And yes, house points are up for grabs, which never hurts.
What makes this appeal meaningful isn’t how big your donation is, it’s that you choose to give something at all. Most of us will head into the holidays with full fridges, busy houses, and Christmas traditions that feel familiar. Not everyone gets that The appeal is our way of ensuring that people in our community aren’t left feeling invisible at a time when it’s supposed to bring people together.
If you’re able to give even one item or a single soft toy, it genuinely matters. It’s a small effort on our end, but it has a huge impact on the families and children who receive it. So as we move into the final weeks of term, let’s do what Santa Sophia does best: show up, support each other, and make sure that no one ’ s Christmas goes by unnoticed.
Events and Fundraisers
Social Justice Initiatives Food Drive
Operation: Cuddly
Toys
Year 12 students are invited to support new parents and babies this Christmas by donating baby essentials
Items include:
• Nappies (newborn–size 3)
• Baby wipes & lotions
• Baby clothes (new or gently used)
• Blankets & wraps
• Feeding bottles & accessories
• Small baby toys Donations can be placed in the Level 5 Common Room during Week 8.
Before the Christmas break, Year 12 students will personally deliver these items along with collected cuddly toys to Blacktown Hospital This initiative is optional and in addition to the main Christmas Appeal
As we prepare for Christmas, students from Kindergarten to Year 12 are encouraged to bring in non-perishable goods to support the St Vincent de Paul Society. These items will be packaged into Christmas Hampers for families and individuals in need, ensuring they have access to essential holiday necessities.
Students can:
Term 4 2025
Items:
Christmas cake / pudding
Long-life custard, cream or milk
Tea / Coffee
Hot chocolate mix (Milo)
Lollies/Chocolate
Rice, noodles or pasta
Bring in items they wish to donate
Drop them at the Collection Point opposite College Reception
Before school (7:45–8:10am), Monday 17 Nov – Friday 28 Nov (Weeks 6–7)
Together, our generosity can help those who are hungry, isolated, or struggling this Christmas.
Tinned fruit (in juice)
Tinned vegetables
Tinned fish
Tinned shoulder ham (spam)
Sugar, Salt & Pepper
Biscuits / Savoury crackers
Pasta & pasta sauces
School of Connect Movie Night
Join us for a festive evening of fun, community, and Christmas spirit all while supporting the Vinnies Appeal!
Date: Friday, 28 November 2025
Time: 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Movie: Home Alone
Cost: $5 donation via QKR
RSVP: Google Form by Friday, 21 November 2025
Students are welcome to wear festive clothing and bring snacks to share with friends.
Registered students will receive further details.
Jam, honey or Vegemite
Cereal
Christmas decorations (bonbons, tinsel, plates, napkins)
Social Justice Initiatives
Letter From Our Editors Christmas Appeal
Term 4 2025
As the school year begins to wind down, it's a good moment to look around and appreciate how much we ' ve been through together. This year has had its share of challenges and good days, but through it all, we ' ve supported each other in ways that really matter. Whether it was helping a friend who was overwhelmed, sharing a laugh on a long day, or simply showing patience when someone needed it, these moments have shaped our community
But what makes our school feel special isn't just the work we do, but the little acts of kindness we extend to each other along the way. Often, it is those little, thoughtful things people do that make the most difference, even if they go unnoticed. They create a feeling of belonging that makes everyday life a little brighter.
With Christmas drawing nearer, we are reminded to slow down and appreciate those individuals who make our days better. It's a time for warm moments, a bit of rest, and a chance to remember what is truly important. The season beckons us to be easy on ourselves and with others and to search out opportunities to spread kindness in the simplest of ways.
As we look toward the end of the year, let's continue to carry that same compassion forward Caring for each other, encouraging one another, and intentionally choosing to understand othersthese all help our community stay strong and welcoming.
Merry Christmas and a peaceful, joyful holiday to you all. Find some time to relax, reconnect, and enjoy the break with the people who mean most to you.