Students at St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School are experiencing the true meaning of Christmas through helping others in need or those who may find it hard to make ends meet at Christmas time.
Primary school students are generously donating toys which will be given to children in foster care and have also been busy writing and drawing Christmas cards for farmers suffering from drought.
Meanwhile, secondary students involved in St Margaret’s Toc H fundraising group are collecting gifts of toys and books which they will donate to the Queensland Children’s Hospital as well as food contributions for Trinity Pantry, a food assistance service providing for over 1000 people each year who simply don’t have enough to eat or who are met with a temporary crisis or no funds. St Margaret’s has supported this service for over ten years and staff members also participate in this food drive.
The Toc H group has also donated money for Best Friend Rescue, a charity that saves and rehomes abandoned or unwanted dogs locally, to assist them in the periods before and after Christmas, while Year 9 Food and Design students spent their last lesson of the year enthusiastically cooking meals for the Pantry Trinity at Albion.
Principal Ms Curtis said St Margaret’s students are encouraged to make a positive community impact in a variety of ways throughout the year.
“St Margaret’s has a strong culture of philanthropy; a key tenant of the school’s philosophy established by our school’s founders almost 125 years ago. It is our intent to inspire the girls to begin a life-long commitment to giving through activities that have a positive impact on the communities in which they live and will, one day, work.
“Collections such as the ones the students have participated in at this time of year provide an opportunity for students to reflect on what they have and to consider the circumstances of those less fortunate.
“They are tangible opportunities to make a real difference in the life of somebody else which goes a long way in reminding the students of the joy of giving,” said Ms Curtis.