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Service Learning News

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Imagine your future. Imagine theirs.

Whitsunday Anglican School

From the PrincipalService Learning throughout the School is firmly embedded and one of which we can all be proud of as we reflect upon the achievements of this year.

To all members in our community, local, national and global, it would be fair to say that we share one commonality - we all lead busy lives, yet it is so heartwarming that each one of you still finds time to give that most precious of gifts, your time, to those in communities who need a little extra help. Perhaps we will gain more understanding to the truth behind Mother Theresa’s words:

“At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by “I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless, and you took me in.”

I recognise in all who have been part of this year’s programme the longed for expression of those qualities we seek to promote as a School but also in humanity – kindness, enthusiasm, open-heartedness, generosity of spirit, gratitude and decency. These are values that mean something; they will stay with us throughout our lives and they will provide the inspiration one needs to shine in the world. Relish the time and experience so many have given, confident that their light has lit the pathway for so many.

As you read through this newsletter with the numerous examples of service to others, remember it is a gift - A gift to the children and a gift to their families. It is a time where we can bring joy, happiness and make a difference to the lives of those less fortunate. Mark my word there has been an indelible print left on the hearts of others. Embrace it and each other.

May God bless you as this year comes to an end, to have fortitude and hope, so the gift of giving strengthens and continues in the New Year.

Maria McIvor | Principal

Principal’s List for Service - Semester One 2014To be awarded a place on the Principal’s List for Service, Senior School students must complete a certain number of service hours in various school, club or community activities within a semester. Middle School students are eligible for the award at the end of the year.

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Jessica BowenMeghan DansieMaggie MoncktonBo ScottMorgan GardinerCara StolpNoor KahloonSaad AshrafJohn HatfieldJake MagroSarah SekandarJulia Boets

Sam LawlessJessica BugejaLauren MaherDuleesha PereraHamza AshrafLaura CarsonSarah WrightAmy LawlessLaura KulmarHannah HallBrooke HowardChloe Quinn

Zaitoon SalmanPraveena SivanujanKieran PandayBree BonaventuraRachel MacdonaldThomas BrieffiesDakota DeakinEmily BoothAnoushka PraveenJack JohnstonBethany DickJessica Heazlett

Georgia CammClaudia De LucaMuhammad KhanNadia LeibowitzSophie TaitAlkira TaylorCynyr LarsenJessica De LucaEmma Williams

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Major Partners

The preparation for the camp had begun many months before with a large number of businesses in the community being kind enough to provide financial support and the camper companions visiting Mackay Special School to get to know their campers before the camp. Companions also underwent First Aid training, swim training and attended a short course run by CQUniversity on looking after children with special needs. By the time the camp rolled around, everyone was slightly nervous but the amount of training and support was enough to keep the energy positive.

The camper registration morning was a sight to behold. A mass of multi-coloured shirts worn by all the helpers greeted the parents, and they were taken to see the personalised bedrooms and facilities the campers would call home for the next three days. Kelly Cartwright, gold medal Paralympian and Camp Patron, was present throughout the day to get to know the campers and the Whitsunday Anglican School community. She interacted with the children with such ease, and formed bonds with many people, in such a short amount of time. A few tears were even seen from some parents, who were touched that the Mackay community was putting together such a fantastic opportunity for their children.

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In its inaugural year, the Mackay Children’s holiday Camp was unforgettable to everyone involved. Running from the 21st-23rd of September, this camp was a free-of-charge event for children with special needs to experience a fun and safe environment while their parents enjoyed three days of much-deserved respite.

Mackay Children’s Holiday Camp

The first day’s activities were exciting for all, with the Fire Department, Police, RACQ CQ Rescue helicopter and Mackay Cutters making a special visit to talk to the campers. The highlight of the afternoon was the RACQ CQ Rescue Helicopter landing on our very own oval to give the campers a chance to scope it out and have their photos taken. The afternoon ended with a trip to the pool to cool down and all of this, plus the various outdoor activities on the oval, was the perfect way to kick off what would surely be a fantastic camp.

The next few days included discos, scavenger hunts, movies, cooking and games. There was never a dull moment and children and adults alike always had smiles on their faces. Music legend Graeme Connors gave a truly heart-warming and interactive performance which the campers thoroughly enjoyed. This was only a small portion of the fun experienced over the three days, but the campers had a wonderful time, with many of them wishing that the camp was longer so that they could spend more time with their new friends.

The camp was a life-changing experience for everyone who was involved. Congratulations are extended to all the Year 11 students who stepped up to the challenge of looking after the campers and went above and beyond what was expected of them. A big thank you is extended to all the staff, students, parents, volunteers and businesses that helped to make the camp a reality. Without the support of the community, the camp would not have been the great success that it was. Preparations for the 2015 camp are already underway, and we hope that it can continue to grow and give back to the community in the future.

Sinikiwe  Ncomanzi  &  Jessica  Fleming|  Assistant  Camp  Coordinators

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Imagine your future

Our Open Girls Volleyball team have taken time our from their preparation for the 2014 Australian Volleyball Schools Cup in Melbourne to throw their support behind Breast Cancer Awareness. The team this year has swapped the Whitsunday Anglican School red to pink to help with spreading awareness throughout the competition.

The team hosted a morning tea to bring those affected within our School community together for a morning of fellowship and to witness the handing out of the team shirts by Mrs McIvor. It was a wonderful morning and the team managed to raise $1100 to go towards finding a cure.

Well done girls and best of luck for this year’s competition!

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Imagine your future

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Serving Abroad

Serving AbroadStudents, staff and parents headed back to Vietnam as part of our bi-annual expedition to the region.

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Serving Abroad

Xin Chao! (That’s “hello” in Vietnamese)

Thirty-eight service learners: twenty-four students from Years 11 & 12 and fourteen adults embarked on a life-changing journey during the June school holidays, travelling to Vietnam.

Significantly service orientated, the Expedition participants not only visited and worked in several orphanages, we also spent three-days living and working in the Mekong Delta where we built two houses for two impoverished families.  Working in thirty nine-degree heat in a village deep in the Mekong Delta was a massive undertaking of blood, sweat and tears for the Service Learners but all rose to the occasion. We were super proud of our efforts as we handed over the houses to the deserving families. Life is poor in the jungles of the Mekong Delta and our donations of books, toys and clothes were gratefully received by the villagers. Our house-building efforts have helped provide two incredibly grateful families with roofs over their heads; something that they would never have been able to afford themselves.

This year’s Service Learning Expedition included visits to Agent Orange Foster Centres to learn of the challenges many face in this still developing country. We were privileged enough to work with those less fortunate than ourselves and help make their day a little brighter; even if it was through the smallest act of kindness such as massaging a little hand of a profoundly disabled, bedridden child. This tour allowed us to work and spend quality time with many orphaned children living with significant disabilities and/or physical deformities. We all felt quite honoured to be able to bring some joy and mental stimulation to these children who have been institutionalised their entire lives. Our combined fundraising efforts, sponsorships and donations to the Orphanage and Foster Centres will make a huge difference to many of these children’s lives. Thanks to Christian Iturbe (Year 12 student) who, through his RSL scholarship, organized for the group to carry an additional 10 kilograms each of books and clothes to be distributed to the various orphanages, to be enjoyed by the children.

This 14-day expedition included visits to many of Vietnam’s famous cities and historical towns (both north and south) as well as an excursion to beautiful Ha Long Bay. Many components of the itinerary were concerned with the social and cultural understanding of Vietnam, as well as increasing and enhancing both the students’ and adults’ Asian awareness and literacy. Not only did we learn about Vietnamese culture and history, but we were given the opportunity to taste many Vietnamese delicacies such as fried rat, fried frog and huge cooked river snails (a local favourite!). We all mastered chopsticks and never ate with a knife or fork the entire trip.

This year’s Expedition’s motto of “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth", certainly rang true for the participants. We all discovered that the 2014 Service Learning Expedition to Vietnam was an incredible life-changing experience for us all as we helped change the lives of others through our service and working alongside such beautiful people for a greater cause.    

Debra Toohey | Service Learning Expedition Coordinator

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Serving Abroad

We will do it all again in 2015 with a return trip to

Vietnam & Cambodia. Please email Mr Martin

mma@was.qld.edu.au if you are interested.

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Junior School

We have our traditional ‘service’ and ‘giving’ activities of support towards Anglicare, the RSPCA, the Cancer Council’s Relay For Life, The Heart Foundation, School Service Days, ChildFund Australia and World Vision Fund; however, it is always heartening to be a part of the hugely generous Junior School community that finds time to continually support, embrace and donate to our Service projects. This year is the 11th anniversary of the Junior School’s support of Anglicare, and the 6th anniversary of Emmett Wither’s Pet Food Appeal in its 6th year.

Heart Foundation – Jump Rope for HeartOnce again the Junior School students took to the skipping ropes in support of the Heart Foundation’s Jump Rope for Heart program. This program, facilitated by Mrs Tanya Thomas, is now an annual event on the Junior School calendar. Over the past 9 years, the students and Junior School community has raised over $45000 (receiving 2 Bronze Level Awards from the Heart Foundation) in aid of this worthy cause. In 2014, the students and families surpassed their previous annual efforts by raising $9466.80; an outstanding effort from the School’s youngest students and their families.

Let’s Read Foundation Book Drive Towards the end of Term Two, Hugh Hanrahan, Year Four S, took over the reins to organise our book drive for the Let’s Read Foundation. Let’s Read is an early childhood literacy program which aims to improve literacy and to encourage parents to read to their pre-school children. During 2012 and 2013 over 1200 books have been donated and collected for the Let’s Read Foundation through the generosity of our Junior School community. This year we have collected over 400 books. This has once again been a wonderful enterprise facilitated by Hugh which will support families in the wider community to assist their children to develop a love of reading.

Wrap With LoveWrap with Love is an initiative and charity that encourages members of the public to get together and knit squares that are then put together to create ‘Wraps’ to be used as blankets. These Wraps are then distributed to a variety of aid agencies operating in Australia and throughout the world; so far over 260000 Wraps have been distributed to over 70 countries. Year Four D students with the assistance of Mrs June Sticklan had been partaking in this knitting program throughout Term Three to provide 4 Wraps for this worthy charity; and along the way learn some great knitting skills.

Junior School Service across the World – Thomas Sanfilippo, Year Two MWe saw Mrs (Tammy) Jones knitting scarves at school one day and she told us that she planned to take them on their trip to South Africa to hand out to people who are less fortunate than us. It was coming into winter and we thought it would be a good idea if we could help with the knitting. My Grandma is very good at knitting and she has also taught Nick (Year One D) and I how to knit. We were busy knitting for a few weeks to make some scarves to send with Mrs Jones and her family. I hope it helps the poor African people to keep warm.

Preparatory Year Service Throughout the past 12 years the Preparatory and Kindergarten students, families and staff have sponsored a number of World Vision children. The funds to sponsor these children have come from the Preparatory and Kindergarten Market afternoons which are held throughout the year. These are wonderfully supported by our parents who make and give the wide variety of goodies that are on sale to raise the funds needed.

The Preparatory students also raise funds to support the ‘Friends of the Bilby’ Fund to build and maintain a feral free fence, and to help with the breeding program to safeguard the survival of the Bilby. Once again, this is a Junior School community service that has been facilitated by Ms Shirley Wood and Mrs Wendy Adamson for 15 years and is a testament to the wonderful support given to a variety of worthy causes by our students, families and staff.

Mick Martin | Head of Junior SchoolWhitsunday Anglican School |12

Junior School

The Junior School students and families are wonderfully supportive of many charities and worthy causes. The outstanding aspect of Junior School ‘Service’, is that it is set by the School’s youngest students each semester. Service is certainly alive and well in the Junior School.

Junior School Service

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Junior School

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Middle School

Middle School ServiceHands-on service opportunities cannot be measured by the dollars raised, the individual record of hours logged or the number of student activities organised. The benefits are diverse and rich in life experiences, character and leadership development and an enhanced sense of connectedness to community. For our Years 5-8 Middle School students, this connectedness is crucial and service learning therefore has a significant place in our current operations and in future curriculum planning.

Service in the Middle School has many facets. Direct service learning takes place with a number of older students from Year 8 and above providing tutoring to individual students. A large number of Middle School students have benefitted from our Senior students, who have reliably provided regular academic support across Terms 1-3 for students in HATS of an afternoon. Middle School students have undertaken Junior School duty to assist with younger students at play during the breaks and as DJs for our radio station. Tuckshop duty, WASMart assistance and Kidsplus support have also provided opportunities for these students to donate their time.

This semester, many of our Middle School students have been involved indirectly in service opportunities in the wider community. Jake and Louis Lamb have assisted Coast Care by contributing to the clean-up of four local beach areas. Jake and Louis also were involved in the MULTICAP collection of money tins in the community. Brianna Baker has volunteered with Surf Life Saving Australia. Emmett Withers, with family support, continues to champion the cause for the RSPCA. Year 5D have raised money to sponsor and support the Orangutans through the initiative of Georgia Farlow. Olivia Laval has also raised funds to support the Soi Dog Foundation. This organisation rescues dogs in poor condition and rehabilitates them for a better quality of life. On a School level a large number of students have contributed to the beautification of the Character Counts Corner with the generous support of the Parents and Friends’ Association. A small band of environmentally conscious students have tended the Middle School garden beds and provided ideas for future Middle School grounds initiatives. Tutor Groups have again generously supported the Anglicare Christmas Appeal which makes a difference in the lives of others during the festive season.

Inclusive of Middle School Relay for Life Donations of $6,700, the Middle School has raised a total of almost $12,000 this year. Community organisations to benefit from the student initiatives are Mackay Animal Rescue Services, Headspace Mackay, Mackay Base Hospital Foundation Children’s Ward, RACQ Rescue Helicopter, Mackay RSPCA, The Matthew Stanley Foundation -One Punch can Kill, Mackay Children's Holiday Camp and the Mackay & District Spinal Association. I commend all staff and parents who have supported the students in their endeavours.

Karen Owens | Head of Middle School

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Middle School

The members of the 2014 Amnesty International Club have picked up the baton in the race for social awareness, equality and justice. Although the finish line is far and the race will undoubtedly be long, this year was testament to the fact that Whitsunday Anglican School has once again stepped up and taken a stand – united with the rest of the world – to give all those who are oppressed or tyrannised or persecuted one resounding message: you are not alone.

Amnesty began the year by campaigning against the injustices perpetrated against the innocent souls of Syria. Not delving into the politics of the predicament, Amnesty merely fought against the human rights violations which were occurring, including the deaths of hundreds of thousands of civilians caught in the cruel war. On the campaign day, Amnesty members wore surgical masks with ‘SYRIA’ written in red to condemn the use of chemical weapons, and did not talk the entire day to represent the voiceless people of Syria.

Term Two brought with it an issue closer to home. Amnesty criticised the abhorrent conditions in the Manus Island Detention Centre as the Australia Government continued to detain and process asylum seekers offshore. A prominent protest speech sparked the interests of the Whitsunday Anglican School community as all the Amnesty members squeezed into a small square marked with tape to signify the cramped conditions that Manus Island refugees had to endure. Overall, it was a successful campaign which reminded everyone that problems exist not only abroad, but on our own doorstep.

Term Three returned to the volatile Middle East as Amnesty not only raised awareness, but much-needed funds as well for the people of Gaza. The popular Nacho Stall sold well and raised over $200, providing a physical aspect to Whitsunday Anglican School’s commitment to strive towards social justice around the globe. It was saddening to realise that thousands of innocent men, women and children were stripped of their right to live in the indiscriminate killing of civilians in the region, but a unifying occasion as the School banded together to pledge their support.

Finally, Amnesty finished strong with the ‘Postcards of Hope’ Campaign, in which each Tutor Group wrote words of encouragement and support on giant postcards, which were then mailed to refugees at the Nauru Detention Centre. This final campaign reaffirmed the intrinsic message which Amnesty wished to send to all afflicted people: you are not alone.

In 2014, the mission of the WAS Amnesty International Club was to raise awareness of the sanctity and dignity of very human life. Armed with this purpose, Amnesty set out to share knowledge, spark ideas, and bring about change. But change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. Because if not us, then who? If not now, then when?

Hamza Ashraf & Muhammad Khan | Amnesty Presidents 2013-2014

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Amnesty International Club

What a year Whitsunday Anglican School’s Interact Club has had! Record numbers of students, incredible fundraising achievements, our 25th birthday celebration and so much more has been condensed into one amazing year for the service club. Interact caters for students from Years 9 to 12 who are passionate about giving back to the local and international communities. This year Interact has raised a total of $4235.05 which has been donated to several charities in the Mackay region and also worthy projects in Vietnam.

Once again on the 14th of February, Whitsunday was coloured pink and red and was a hype of activity. In relation to finances, this was the Interact’s most successful Valentine’s Day yet and, taking a look around at the number of studens clutching roses, sucking lollipops and blushing from serenades, that statistic was definitely reaffirmed. Teachers were serenaded, there were record numbers of lollipops bought for their loved ones and a delicious bake stall held many appetising cupcakes, slices and brownies. All in all it was an incredible day!

At Interact’s annual Quiz Night, over 100 people once again enjoyed a night of trivia and rivalry… but they also celebrated the Club’s 25th Birthday! The hall was decorated with streamers and balloons and an enormous cake was enjoyed by all. Tables of students, teachers, family, friends and community groups all put their minds to the test and battled through ten rounds of questioning that would determine who would be named as champions. The night was a huge success and thank you in particular to our partner Rotary Club, Mackay North, for supporting our birthday celebrations.

Fundraising events such as Discos, Splendour in the Arts, Outdoor Movie night and the Middle School Bush Dance have also contributed to Interact’s success this year.

Over the course of the year many Interactors have given up their Sunday morning sleep-in to help out in the Mackay North Rotary Van at the local Troppo Markets. Thank you so much to all of those students who have volunteered in the van and of course to Mackay North Rotary Club whose members are always welcoming and friendly.

Thank you to my supportive executive team who have made this year such a success and to all those students who have volunteered their time for the benefit of others. I wish the incoming executive the very best and am excited to hear about the incredible work they do. Happy 25th Birthday Interact!

Jessica Fleming | Interact President 2013-2014

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Interact Club

The Whitsunday Z Club has had such a successful year, both in our achievements as a club and individuals. Built on a foundation of incredible young women with a desire to advance the status of women worldwide, our Z Club has participated in projects aimed to both raise funds and awareness for women’s issues.

2014 has seen us work towards projects that benefit both women in our own country, as well as reaching beyond to women overseas. We started our year fundraising for the Queensland Centre for Mothers and Babies, a centre helping to educate women on what it takes to have a healthy pregnancy as well as improving the community in which their children are raised.

Around this same time, we were fortunate enough to host the 2014 Mackay Women in Science Breakfast of which our Secretary, Clarise Sornachalam, coordinated. By contributing her RSL Youth Development Scholarship, she was able to fly in remarkable guest speakers and invite schools from all around the district to partake in a breakfast and hear from inspiring women in Australia’s science industry. For this event, our Zonta Club also made hundreds of red paper roses to contribute to the Mackay Zonta Club’s Domestic Violence Awareness Campaign.

Our Z Club annually takes part in the Zonta Club of Mackay Birthing Kit Assembly. These kits combine items such as soap, gloves, scalpels, birthing tarps and gauze; to improve the survival rate of both the mothers and babies in third world countries

In more local projects, the Senior School community has come together this year to collect and donate items for the Mackay Women’s Shelter. The Z Club girls also gave their time to manage a hot chocolate stall at the Mackay Children’s Holiday Camp movie night.

Women’s Health Week is possibly our largest event each year, and we have been fortunate enough as an executive to organise both the 2013 and 2014 weeks. In 2013, the funds went towards the Mackay Hospital Foundation and in 2014 they were donated to the Banjara Girls India Campaign.

It has been a wonderful year and we wish the new executive of 2014/15 all the best, and hope the club continues along the path of success for many years to come.        

Alkira Taylor | Z Club President 2013-2014

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Z Club

The Final WordI would like to congratulate everyone who has contributed to the Whitsunday Anglican School Service Learning program over the course of the year. As you would have seen throughout this edition, our community has supported a large number of charities and organisations, being it financially or with the donation of our time. This year we have donated in excess of $50,000 to those who need it most.

There have been many highlights from throughout the course of the year. These have included:

• Celebrating the 25th birthday of our Interact Club

• The wonderful fundraising initiatives organised by our Middle School Tutor Groups

• The inaugural Mackay Children’s Holiday Camp and welcoming ten young people with special needs into our community

• The success of the Junior School Jump Rope for Heart

These are just a few of the highlights. What impresses me the most is the commitment shown by many of the staff and students from across the three sub-schools in putting others first. It is when we do this that we exemplify our core values and show others the benefits of being compassionate global citizens.

We should all feel blessed to be part of such a giving community. Next year is shaping up to be bigger and better. There will be new initiatives introduced to the school as we aim to have stronger connections between our service program and the curriculum. I look forward to sharing the journey with you all again next year.

Matt Hodge | Service Learning Coordinator

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Celeber Drive, Beaconsfield Qld 4740 Po Box 3390, North Mackay Qld 4740

t: 07 49692000 f: 07 49692001www.was.qld.edu.au

e: admin@was.qld.edu.auCRICOS Provider 00993J

ABN: 62 090 829 842