Students sleeping for a cause
Schools
Students from two Catholic colleges braved the cold conditions and slept under cardboard shelters to raise awareness of homelessness this month.
Held on the grounds of the school, St Francis De Sales College’s sleepout event on June 14 was part of its contribution to the annual Vinnies Winter Appeal.
Participants included students who are members of the newly-commissioned Vinnies Youth Group as well as other interested students and staff.
The evening began with a shared meal, followed by a variety of activities that raised awareness of the issue of homelessness and offered ideas for easing the challenges facing people who are homeless.
A member of the Mount Barker Vinnies Conference addressed the gathering and spoke on social justice, before participants made their shelters from cardboard boxes in readiness for sleeping outdoors.
Year 8 student Sophie McCallum said she got involved in the sleepout to “get an idea of what it feels like to be homeless”.
“We need to protect and support the vulnerable members of our community,” she said.
Oreste Farrugia, assistant principal, Religious Identity and Mission, said the sleepout was part of the college’s commitment to the Vinnies Winter Appeal, which has seen members of the community donating thousands of items to help those in need.
“Community service and social justice activities are very important for our college community,” he said.
“It is very often an appealing ‘way in’ for students to express their faith and follow in the footsteps of Jesus in a very practical and active manner.
“We also wish for them to learn the value of serving others and the difference it really does make to the lives of those in need.”
College principal Gavin McGlaughlin also participated in the Vinnies CEO sleepout which was held at the Adelaide Oval on June 21.
Pictured at the Cabra sleepout, from left are Hannah Horvat-Thorneycroft, Sophia Hadfield and Mia Ballard.
A group of 75 students and staff from Cabra Dominican College raised $8000 for the homeless by participating in the Vinnies 2018 Winter Sleepout at the college on June 22.
The group kept their spirits up during the cold night by playing cards, singing and creating artwork. They also heard from Vinnies CEO David Wark about the plight of those sleeping rough. Soup was provided by participants’ families as well as students from the home economics class.
Students at the Cabra sleepout.
The participants in the Cabra sleepout.
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