Students at St Patrick’s Primary School wore their craziest pairs of socks last week to raise money for a school in Cambodia.
Through gold coin donations from students and teachers, the school raised over $600 for the charity, Catholic Mission, which is donating money to the Arrupe Centre for disabled children in north-western Cambodia.
Year 1 Teacher and Coordinator, Lisa Elwood, said the amount raised was a great effort for the school.
“We can usually raise around $300 so getting to $600 is a complete success,” Elwood said.
“The money goes towards children who are underprivileged and struggling with a disability, so it is a wonderful cause.
“And our kids really loved showing off their colourful bright socks and had a ball joining in the lunchtime dance party.”
The day was organised in association with the schools Mini Vinnie’s appeal, a program where students collect donations such as food or blankets for the St Vincent de Paul Society.
“The children on the Mini Vinnies team create posters and talked about the program with other children and in assembles to help raise awareness,” Elwood said.
“I thought being Catholic World Mission month, raising money for this cause would be great for our Mini Vinnies team.”
Elwood said St Patricks Primary based the whole week’s learning around World Mission to help the children understand the reason behind their donations.
“Even though the younger children cannot exactly connect with the cause, Catholic Mission has some great videos of the school and the country which help children see the school, gaining a slight understanding of the poverty experienced there,” she said.
Jacinta Counihan