Hands-on Giving
In the final days of Term 4 last year, when most students were dreaming of their summer holidays, our Junior School Student Representative Council (SRC) members were embarking on a project focused on giving instead of receiving.
The initiative was spearheaded by SRC Captains, Harriet and Rosie (Year 6), and overseen by Junior School teacher and Junior School SRC Coordinator, Mr Dean Pomfrett. It began with a simple question: how could they help others in a more tangible way than simply raising money?
"We wanted to promote a sense of helping through more physical action," Mr Pomfrett explains. "After discussing several options including toys for hospitals and toiletries for the homeless, the girls settled on collecting canned food for families in need at Christmas time."
The focus of their efforts was the Loaves & Fishes Free Restaurant run by the Rev Bill Crews Foundation, which provides crisis support for vulnerable people in the Sydney area. At the time, the Foundation was running a school competition to collect the most tins of food. The Junior School SRC decided to take an approach that better reflected our motto, Ut Prosim, that I may serve.
"We decided to help the cause but not enter the competition," says Mr Pomfrett. "The girls wanted to promote the ideal of helping for the good of it, rather than to win a prize. The people at the Foundation were quite surprised by this approach."
What makes this initiative even more noteworthy is that it was entirely student-driven. The SRC representatives, who also serve as Class Captains, spread the word among their peers, while Harriet and Rosie provided regular reminders via presentations in Junior School Assemblies. No communication was sent directly to parents – everything achieved was generated by the girls’ own efforts.
The collected tins were displayed in the Hooke House main locker area, creating what Mr Pomfrett describes as ‘an old-time general store’ atmosphere. At the end of the term, the collection was boxed up and personally delivered (by Mr Pomfrett) to the Foundation's warehouse in Marrickville, just in time for Christmas distribution.
In a letter of thanks to the School, Rev Bill Crews wrote: "Gifts such as yours help to keep our operational costs down. This enables me and my team to put more resources into our frontline services such as the Loaves & Fishes Free Restaurant, primary health care, and crisis support for our guests."
He added: "My Foundation is a place that brings people together and strengthens the community. Your contribution is a vital part of these efforts, and together, we're restoring hope and dignity to our forgotten friends."
"It's one thing to raise money, which is always worthy and helpful,” Mr Pomfrett says. “But there's something powerful about a physical donation − seeing the cans accumulate, organising them, and knowing they'll directly help someone in need."