Finding Courage on the Edge
St George’s students and staff take
the plunge for Anglicare WA
For eight members of the St George’s Anglican Grammar School community, Friday 13 November will be a day of courage, challenge and service as they take part in the Central Park Plunge, abseiling 130m down Perth’s iconic Central Park Tower.
Representing the school are staff members Miss Sadie Yoxall, Miss Giorgia Bakeberg and Mrs Danielle de Witt, alongside Year 12 students Jade Fletcher, Sophie Gardner, Zara Jones, Mia McGurk and Zara Moesker. Together, they are raising funds for Anglicare WA, an organisation with which St George’s has developed a strong partnership through a variety of service-learning initiatives, advocacy programs and community engagement.
The idea first emerged from conversations with students who had watched the annual event taking place across the road from the school’s William Street Campus in the heart of the Perth CBD. Curious and inspired, they began asking how they could become involved. Their enthusiasm quickly gained momentum, supported by staff members including our Head of Year 11 and 12, Mr Tim Hayward and School Principal Mrs Tina Campbell, who helped bring the opportunity to life.
For Year 12 Service and Community Captain Zara Moesker, the event represents both an exciting challenge and a chance to make a real difference to those in need.
“We’ve always seen this event going on at Central Park,” she said. “It looked interesting and cool, and we wanted to get involved.”
While some participants admit they are nervous about heights, Zara believes that is part of what makes the experience so meaningful.
Central Park Plunge participants must each raise a minimum of $1,100, contributing to a school target of $8,800. Funds raised will support Anglicare WA’s work with vulnerable Western Australians, including programs addressing homelessness, poverty, family violence and mental health challenges. Mrs Tina Campbell, St George’s Anglican Grammar School Principal has generously donated the first $500 to get the group started.
For St George’s Head of Camps and Service-Learning, Miss Sadie Yoxall, the initiative reflects the heart of our St George’s Anglican identity.
“The Central Park Plunge is another opportunity for our students and staff to turn awareness into action,” she said. “It is one thing to learn about the many challenges facing people in our community, but it is another to actively contribute to an organisation that is working every day to support vulnerable people and improve their lives.”
Throughout the year, St George’s students regularly participate in charitable events – particularly for Anglicare WA, through the school’s Anglicare Ambassadors program which drives awareness and fundraising events such as Sleepout in the CBD and Sleep Out at Optus, to support the Street Connect Bus stationed in the city. Events also include Charity House Days such as a colour run for the Heart Foundation, city lap-a-thon for Headspace, a talent show for the Stephen Michael Foundation and the World’s Greatest Shave for Leukemia. For the Central Park plunge, students have already held a Silly Socks for the Summit and Jeans for the Jump Day, raising their first $1000.
The plunge itself presents a powerful lesson in courage and action living the idea of ‘not for self alone’. As participants prepare to step over the edge of one of Perth’s tallest buildings, they are learning that bravery is not the absence of fear but the willingness to move forward despite it.
Zara captured the spirit of the event best when she spoke about finding “power in fear” and for Miss Yoxall. “Courage does not mean being completely fearless. Sometimes courage is feeling nervous, uncertain or uncomfortable, but choosing to step forward anyway because of the magnitude of the purpose behind it.”
Ultimately, the Central Park Plunge brings together many of the values at the heart of St George’s Anglican Grammar School: service, compassion, courage, leadership and community. Whether taking the leap themselves or supporting the event through fundraising initiatives, students are demonstrating that meaningful service ultimately begins when we step beyond our comfort zone for the sake of others.
Central Park Plunge student participants Zara Moesker, Zara Jones, Sophie Gardner, Mia McGurk and Jade Fletcher with St George’s Anglican Grammar School’s Service Learning Coordinator Miss Sadie Yoxall.
Jade Fletcher, Sopie Gardner, Zara Jones, Mia McGurk and Zara Moesker at Central Park Tower in Perth.
Silly Socks for the Summit
