Community and Service
Homeless Connect Day 2016
Last Tuesday, 34 IB Diploma Year 11 students assisted to set up facilities for the 2016 Homeless Connect Day. Russell Square in Northbridge became a village of marquees housing a myriad of service providers along with donated food and clothing for the taking. The Homeless Connect concept has been in Australia for over a decade and most State capitals host an event. For Perth, the Homeless Connect Day enables over 500 homeless and vulnerable people access to services most of us take for granted. Patrons can apply for birth certificates needed to open bank accounts - which in turn are needed for Centrelink payments. Health practitioners including doctors, dentists, podiatrists and massage therapists provide services free of charge, as do hairdressers, beauticians and entertainers.
The Scotch boys helped to set up booths for service providers, sort donated food into categories and arrange new and good second-hand clothing in sizes on racks. The boys worked alongside volunteers employees from the corporate sector and staff from Volunteering WA, the government body overseeing the network of service agencies and volunteer groups in Western Australia.
John Hughes Big Walk
Over last weekend, groups of senior boys volunteers to assist with the setting up and running of the John Hughes Big Walk in aid of the Perth Children's Hospital. Boys worked on Saturday to set out gates and water stations and on the Sunday during the event, manned drinks stations.
The John Hughes Big Walk has raised over $1.9 million since partnering with the PMH Foundation (renamed Perth Children's Hospital Foundation) eight years ago.
Remembrance Day
Last Friday was Remembrance Day and Scotch College once again marked the day with a service on the Chapel lawn and the sale of poppies on behalf of the Returned Services League (RSL). This year 500 poppies were sold to boys, staff and parents in the Middle and Senior schools, raising approximately $700 for the RSL.
Mr W Cordner
Director of Community and Service
