With the cost of living and resulting stress that is felt by many, it is easy to forget the ongoing struggles others may be experiencing.
Care Week at Good Shepherd Lutheran College is an annual event used to promote growth mindset through care and love for others and this year was no different with daily fundraising activities highlighting the vital role charities play in the community.
Good Shepherd Lutheran College counsellor and care week coordinator Marg Hall said, “Care Week raises much needed funds through a variety of activities.“
“Cancer Council received over $2000 through the staff Biggest Morning Tea and students Biggest Bake Sale and other fundraising events across the week.
“These vital funds will support the battle against cancer with over $250 million invested in the last five years.
“This investment in research has helped increase cancer survival rates from 49 per cent in the 1980s to 69 per cent today. This research sees more people surviving cancer than ever before.”
The Hear and Say Centre, another charity supported through fundraising efforts last week, will receive $1300. Hear and Say is a leading Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy and Cochlear Implant
Centre, teaching children who are deaf or hearing impaired to listen and speak.
Ms Hall said, “For over 30 years, Hear and Say has provided support and services to help change the lives of children with hearing loss.“
“We have a few students who have attended the Hear and Say Centre and it is amazing to see these children thoroughly integrated into mainstream schooling.”
This year, the theme, The importance of Belonging and Being Brave encourages students to look after each other with care and love and to also take care of themselves.
Students are encouraged to not only purchase a delicious cupcake or grab a sausage at the sizzle, they are also encouraged to look closely at their community, acknowledge the vital work undertaken by charities and recognise the need for support, both near and far.
Parents were also a focus during Care Week and embraced the opportunity to hear from Dr Brenda Heyworth, a child and adolescent psychiatrist and author of ‘It’s a Jungle’ A Parent’s Guide to Emotions and Behaviour’.
More than 150 parents attended the evening, gaining valuable tools on how to deal with ‘the jungle’ at home and to help children and teenagers develop better emotional regulation and self regulation.
Good Shepherd staff also enjoyed a session with Dr Heyworth to help support them with students in a school and classroom settings.
Head of Library Michelle Nye said, “We were really keen for the College Library to be a place of kindness and fun this week.“
“Storytime Express saw teachers, including principal Dyer and Shep, read and discuss stories about the importance of being brave and caring for others. Daily craft activities allowed the students to
express their emotions in a creative way and they loved it.“
With the focus of the week encouraging students to look around, listen to others and care for others, the message was obviously heard, resulting in close to $3500 being raised.
