St Mary’s has an active social justice program with a focus on awareness and action. Social justice initiatives provide students with the opportunity to contribute to their local community through a wide range of events and activities.
Students are encouraged to consider the needs of those outside our school community on a global scale. Catholic social justice agencies such as Caritas, St Vincent de Paul and Catholic Mission are well supported and promoted and are the main focus of charitable fundraising within our school community each year.
Students in Years 6 have the opportunity to be a part of the Mini Vinnies Group. The Mini Vinnies Committee work in collaboration with teachers to develop the school community’s awareness and empathy for those in need through prayer and reflection. They promote, organise and run these fundraising events. Fundraising focus areas throughout the year are:
TERM 1
Caritas – Project Compassion.
TERM 2
Vinnies Winter Appeal – supporting locals in need. Students wear their winter woollies and donate a gold coin. All monies collected are given to the local St Vincent de Paul organisation.
TERM 3
Catholic Mission – global support in the form of a Mission Day organised by Year 5 students involving a range of activities.
TERM 4
Vinnies Christmas Appeal – students and families are asked to support the local appeal through donating non-perishable goods, money or presents, which are then distributed to needy locals during the festive season.
The school encourages students to propose other areas for social justice work at a local level. From year to year, this is in response to the needs of the local community.