Supporting Our Students Fighting Famine

Each year we are proud of our students who challenge themselves to participate in World Vision’s 40 Hour Famine. The campaign has run for 50 years, and some parents may remember participating themselves.

There are many different options for students to pursue in an effort to raise money and to give something up for 40 hours to gain a small understanding of the experiences of others globally. We have students coming together to run a bake sale to raise funds, another student swimming 40km and others going without furniture or technology for 40 hours. Participating in experiences like these allows students to gain a different perspective as well as to take practical action to bring about positive change where it is needed.

Mineli, Year 9, went without furniture for 40 hours. Here is her reflection on that experience:

“When trying to write or complete homework on the floor, I would shift positions every few minutes and have constant back aches, and for sleep, the floor was cold and hard, so I barely got any. The idea of going 40 hours with no furniture did not seem too difficult at first, though once I began my challenge, I was quick to realise how fortunate I was to only be going for 40 hours.”

If you would like to encourage our students, you are invited to visit schools. Donations big and small are welcome.

A big thanks to all the students who have decided to be a part of the 40 Hour Famine this year, as well as those who have donated to this important cause.

You will notice throughout the year that there are many opportunities for our students to think about others and to practise the value of compassion - this is simply one. However, each one has a slightly different emphasis, and our hope is that different students will be touched by different causes and will want to get involved. Compassion often requires something of us - it is not free. Yet, in it our hearts grow.

Jesus is the ultimate example of what it means to demonstrate compassion to all, even those whom others ignore. There are many stories recorded in the gospels where Jesus shows his compassion for the most vulnerable and encourages it in those he is with.

At Casey Grammar School, compassion is one of our five school values and one that we seek to develop in each of our students - from those in Foundation through to those who are becoming adults and are about to step out beyond our school gates. Instilling and encouraging values such as compassion truly takes a village, but in today’s world we cannot do without it.

Every blessing in the week ahead.

Monique Riviere-Pendle
Chaplain