At Southern Cross Grammar, we are all united by a shared purpose to develop people who make a positive difference in the world. Earlier this term, Year 6 students Meera, Irena, Kyra, and Ariana brought this purpose to life by raising $720 for the Peter McCallum Cancer Centre through a student fundraiser.
As Australia’s only public health service dedicated to caring for people affected by cancer, for over 70 years, the Peter MacCallum Centre has brought hope to millions of Australians and people around the world in leading life-saving cancer research and caring for Australians affected by cancer.
For Meera, Irena, Kyra, and Ariana, raising funds for the Centre was especially meaningful to them as they have all had family members affected by cancer. With the support of Year 5 teacher, Simone Wood, they worked together over Term 1 and 2, and during school holidays to design and create ribbons, and posters, to raise awareness and funds.
For their fundraiser Meera, Irena, Kyra, and Ariana created six types of ribbons to raise awareness and funds about cancer.
The ribbons included:
- lavendar for all cancers
- grey for brain cancer
- pink for breast cancer
- orange for Leukaemia
- white for lung cancer; and
- teal for ovarian cancer.
In Term 3 they launched their initiative and as is the way with our school community our students, staff, and families came together to support the cause. Together $720 was raised for the cause with ribbons sold at $1 each.
It was a big accomplishment to see our idea turn into a real fundraiser, and we were amazed that we raised $720, which was more than we expected,” Meera, Irena, Kyra, and Ariana said.
“We really appreciated the support from the staff and our school community, especially seeing teachers and staff purchase the ribbons and wear them.
“It has been so special to see people still wearing the ribbons even though our fundraiser has finished.”
Meera, Irena, Kyra, and Ariana’s achievement reflects the values we seek to nurture every day at Southern Cross Grammar: Respect for others and their experiences, Inclusivity by bringing our school community together to make a difference, Excellence in the care and effort they brought to the project, and Resilience in seeing their plan through from idea to fundraiser.
More importantly, Meera, Irena, Kyra, and Ariana have also shown that making a positive difference in the world is not bound by age or year level, but by a willingness to step forward and make a meaningful impact.
Simone could not be prouder of their fundraising achievement saying, “I am incredibly proud of Meera, Irena, Kyra and Ariana for taking the initiative to create something that was meaningful to them and using it to make a positive difference in the wider community.
“It has been wonderful seeing them demonstrate such empathy, leadership, creativity, and determination. They have shown that even as young people, they can make a meaningful contribution to an important cause and inspire others to get involved.”
