Heart-warming acts of kindness and thoughtful deeds have been occurring across Queensland’s independent schooling sector.
We’ve compiled some of these uplifting stories to give us all heart, optimism and hope. They also serve as a moving reminder of the pivotal role schools play in community connection.
IPSWICH GRAMMAR SCHOOL
After the cancellation of the school’s inter-house swimming carnival, the meat which was to be used for the BBQ was generously donated by the Swimming Support Group, represented by Carol Levinge, to Ipswich Assist – a not-for-profit welfare organisation which has seen a doubling in calls from people in need during the current crisis. Old Boy and IGS supporter, Bruce Summerville (Class of 1980) from Summerville Butchers Booval kindly stored the goods until they were collected by the organisation.
In another initiative, the school’s junior students hand-wrote and coloured in postcards to thank the region’s emergency services personnel, including doctors and nurses, for their tireless efforts looking after the local community. Grateful representatives from West Moreton Hospital and Health Services and Ipswich Hospital collected the postcards from Mr Ben Gates – Head of Junior School, saying they couldn’t wait to present them to their hard-working staff.
SAINT STEPHEN’S COLLEGE (GOLD COAST)
Determined to maintain life as normal as possible, students and teachers from the college penned, recorded and filmed an inspirational original song “We Were Born to Love 2020” to salute the front-line workers keeping communities in every town and city across the world safe.
ST MARGARET’S ANGLICAN GIRLS SCHOOL (BRISBANE)
A group of Year 5 students passionate about making a difference during the coronavirus crisis came up with a plan to fundraise for research. They wrote a letter to Dr Paul Young, lead researcher at The University of Queensland (UQ) which is racing against the clock to develop a vaccine candidate for the virus, shared their plans and received both a letter of thanks and video message from Dr Young in return. The students have launched their ‘Helping for Hundreds’ fundraising campaign which challenges students to track the jobs they do around the house and instead of asking for pocket money, students are encouraged to request a donation to the St Margaret’s ‘Helping for Hundreds’ fund. All donations will the support the UQ research.
ST JOHN’S LUTHERAN SCHOOL (KINGAROY)
Parents wanted to show their appreciation for the care and dedication of the school’s 60-strong staff, so the P&F arranged to purchase coffee/hot chocolates from a local café. The local business, which was deeply appreciative of the support, provided take-away coffees, with Years 7-9 students on hand to help deliver the hot drinks around the school.
SHELDON COLLEGE (REDLANDS)
Recently Year 7 Humanities students, led by teacher Kylie Meek, wrote open and emotional letters to community members they believed needed support, encouragement and thanks due to the global pandemic. Their letters made their way to doctors, nurses, other health care practitioners, health advisors, teachers, Coles/Woolworths/Aldi workers and people working in struggling businesses.
In another act of community spirit, Sheldon College’s Performance Manager, Alastair Tomkins, has developed ‘Music for Mateship’ – an initiative that encourages musicians across the state to stand at the end of their driveway to observe 1-minute silence at 6am on Saturday 25 April, as encouraged by the Queensland RSL, and to use their talents to play the Last Post and Rouse as you would hear at a traditional Dawn Service.
ST RITA’S COLLEGE (BRISBANE)
Students have penned letters to the elderly, veterans and healthcare workers, to let them know they are appreciated and to offer a ‘virtual hug’. The College is distributing the letters to a number of local hospitals, nursing homes, Meals on Wheels branches and RSLs in the lead up to ANZAC Day, after services were cancelled this year.
**PLEASE NOTE: Some images/vision were taken prior to social distancing restrictions. With regard to Saint Stephen’s College all recording equipment was thoroughly sanitized with alcohol prior each recording session for health and safety.**
SHARE YOUR STORY
This story originally appeared on Independent Schools Queensland’s website here
