Caritas Australia is an international aid and development agency dedicated to working alongside the most vulnerable communities, addressing power imbalances, and ensuring affected individuals are involved in decisions impacting their lives. Their mission is to partner with communities both in Australia and overseas to overcome the challenges of poverty.
This year, Clonard College has proudly supported Caritas Australia through Project Compassion, engaging in a variety of fundraising and awareness initiatives. The Year 11 VCE Vocational-Major students launched the community fundraising efforts with a highly successful Shrove Tuesday event. Sarah Clark, Senior Pathways Team: Applied Learning Leader explained, “Shrove Tuesday, also known as Pancake Day, is the day before Lent begins. Traditionally, it is a day to use up rich ingredients like eggs and milk before the fasting period of Lent, which is why pancakes are commonly made. This event was not only a wonderful experience but also a fantastic opportunity to raise funds for Caritas. Our students worked collaboratively, showcasing their teamwork and communication skills as they planned, prepared, and served pancakes. Throughout the event, they demonstrated excellent time management, problem-solving abilities, and customer service skills, ensuring everything ran smoothly and efficiently. Additionally, they handled donations with great care.”
The Year 7 students also made significant contributions to Caritas through their participation in the “Long Walk for Water,” which complemented their studies on Water in Term 1. This initiative raised awareness of global water challenges and inequalities, highlighting the importance of access to clean water worldwide.
The Social Justice team further strengthened both awareness and fundraising efforts by hosting a Caritas Awareness Lunchtime. This event featured Caritas Cookies, “Guess the Number of Lollies in the Jar,” a Caritas pop quiz, and the annual Fair Trade Easter Raffle.
On Thursday 3 April, students and staff gathered at the front of Clonard House for the raffle draw. With over 450 tickets sold, the atmosphere was electric, fostering a great sense of community and connection. Congratulations to the following winners of the Easter raffle:
1st Prize: Mr. Keane
2nd Prize: Emily N
3rd Prize: Ava J
4th Prize: Ms. Rogers
During this season of Lent, we are reminded of our College’s theme of Hospitality and the notion of what we can do for others. Term 1 has been filled with remarkable generosity from the Clonard College community, raising a combined total of $1,509.14 for Caritas Australia.
Bridget Taylor
Mission and Identity Team: Living Justice Leader
