Service forms an integral part of the St. Peter’s student experience.
Nestled under the watchful guidance of Vanessa McCarthy, Assistant Chaplain and a team of supervising staff (always underpinned by Christian values), service is the quiet achiever; bubbling away in the background. Service and its impact isn't always noisy. Our students and staff work quietly and purposefully to aid change and progress, but most importantly, to grow a lifelong culture of giving into our students as they step out into the real world.
19 student service ambassadors are appointed each year and meet weekly to plan fully student-designed programmes for the year with a new focus each term. Each House has their own fundraiser, generally running the same programme year in, year out. Swears House supported the Cancer Society Relay For Life earlier this year as their Term 1 fundraiser, and recently for their Term 2 fundraiser, Hanna House supported World Vision with an impressive result.
Our Year 9 service ambassadors have also been putting in the work this term with a Clothing and Toy Drive for Kids in Need. A massive thank you from Service Ambassadors, Chahat Boparai and Sophiya Andrews to all the families who supported this cause. Your donations have helped leave a positive impact on many lives and the community.
Coming up in Term 3, Chandler House will be supporting The Salvation Army via a school-wide non-uniform day and a Cans Drive for Foodbank. Rounding out the year, Thornton House will continue its connection to and support of Mumby School with two non-uniform days.
All this fundraising happens alongside real-life service experiences, including regular hospital visits to support patients and provide time, attention and care, while our Year 11 volunteers pack fruit and vegetable parcels for the Salvation Army. There is also a large-scale joint project involving over 80 students per year, with St. Paul's Collegiate supporting the Refugee Orientation Centre.
The 2025 40-hour Challenge
This year, the World Vision 40-hour Challenge is focused on supporting communities in the Solomon Islands, where food security is being impacted by climate change.
Many families rely on fishing and growing crops in their gardens for their food and income, but over the years, it’s become harder and harder because of the impact of changing weather patterns. These changes can destroy their crops; catching fish is more difficult as there are fewer fish, and they’re further from the shore. Rising seas have forced people to move inland, away from the shoreline. The land they once called home is eroding away, and the soil is full of salt, so their fruit trees and swamp taro can’t grow.
We are so proud of our students who participated in the World Vision 40-hour Challenge over the weekend. In contrast to the 40-hour famine of years gone by, students can now choose their own challenge, and their choices are varied. From 40 hours without sugar, to no talking, eating, technology or furniture; our young people put themselves in discomfort for those in the Solomon Islands who need to secure their food source.
Molly, Lily, and Jordan took to the water rowing 40km for this cause, others used their musical talent, playing 40 songs over 40 hours, while others baked up a storm to raise funds.
Year 8 student Indigo Woodfield says:
“I didn't eat for 40 hours. My biggest challenge would have been the fact I did sports during the weekend, despite this, I pushed on through and finished the challenge! I felt so fortunate at the end of the challenge to be able to eat, unlike those children who don't have easy access to food. I was definitely nervous at the start as I had never gone this long without food.”
Year 10 student Liv Auld says:
“My challenge was no furniture for 40 hours. I found it pretty easy; eating my meals on the floor, but sleeping on the floor was more difficult.”
So far, our school has raised $10,400, meaning 52 families will be equipped to protect their food sources from rising seas through mangrove plantation.
If you’d like to support our efforts, please click here. You can donate directly on our St. Peter's page or choose to specifically support the efforts of a student you know.