St James’ Anglican School
St James’ Embraces the
Spirit of Service
In today's fast-paced and often self-centred world, it is vital to instil in our young people the value of service to others. At St James' Anglican School, we have been making a concerted effort to cultivate a culture of kindness and compassion through various initiatives that benefit our local community.
One such initiative is our House Charity Days. These events are organised by our student council and give students the opportunity to come together as a community and support people in need.
During our first House Charity Day of the year, students were asked to bring in non-perishable food items for donation to the Salvation Army in Merriwa and Food4All in Yanchep, two organisations dedicated to helping people experiencing food insecurity.
In an extraordinary response, a total of 3,810 non-perishable food items were donated by our community to assist people in need. The joy and sense of accomplishment that our students felt knowing that they were making a difference in the lives of others was truly heart-warming.
Another House Charity Day focused on collecting donations for pets in animal shelters. Our students have a deep love and appreciation for animals, so this cause was especially close to their hearts. They brought in bags of pet food, toys, blankets, and other supplies to help make the lives of shelter animals a little brighter. The act of giving and knowing that they were helping our furry friends brought smiles to the faces of our students and reinforced the importance of empathy and compassion.
In addition to House Charity Days, we also have ongoing service programs that allow our students to make a difference in the community on a regular basis. One such program is Cub Sandwiches, where students gather to make sandwiches for kids who do not have breakfast or bring lunch to school. In our first two Cub Sandwiches events this year, we have made a record-breaking 930 and 1,000 sandwiches to be delivered to primary schools in our local community.
Each term the sandwiches are delivered and distributed to students who do not have breakfast or bring lunch to school. The Cub Sandwiches program aims to provide nutritious meals to local school students, helping to alleviate food insecurity in the local community.
St James’ service initiative of Cub Sandwiches is in partnership with Eat Up Australia, a not-for-profit organisation whose mission is to support students wellbeing. Alarmingly, one in five Australian children attend school without breakfast or lunch.
Not only does this program help to feed children in need, but it also fosters a sense of teamwork and camaraderie among our students as they work together towards a common goal.
Another impactful program at our school is the Anglicare Ambassadors. This program is open to Year 10 students who are passionate about making a difference in their community. These students serve as ambassadors for a better community, organising events, fundraisers, and volunteer opportunities to benefit those in need. Whether it's organising a clothing drive for a local shelter or volunteering at a soup kitchen, our Anglicare Ambassadors are dedicated to serving others and spreading kindness wherever they go.
Through these various initiatives, our students are learning the importance of giving back and making a positive impact on the world around them. They are developing empathy, compassion, and a sense of responsibility towards their fellow community members. By engaging in service activities, our students are not only improving the lives of those in need but also enriching their own lives in the process.
As educators, we are proud to see our students embracing the spirit of service and showing generosity and kindness towards others. We believe that by instilling these values in our young people, we are shaping them into compassionate and empathetic individuals who will go on to make a difference in their communities and beyond. Service is not just a one-time event at St James' but a way of life that we hope will inspire our students to continue giving back and serving others for years to come.
Published in Messenger August 2024
St James' Anglican School
St James’ Anglican School is a co-educational, independent day school. St James’ caters for Kindergarten to Year 12 at full enrolment the School will cater for approximately 1100 students.