College community steps up for 40 Hour Challenge
For 41 years, Saint Kentigern College has partnered with World Vision to support vulnerable communities, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. The momentum of giving swept through the school once again this year, with our community raising an extraordinary $147,429 for children and families in Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands.
Enthusiasm was rampant among our Year 7 and 8 students, who contributed a remarkable $99,647 towards the final total. Over 100 students in this group raised over $500 each, each offering representative of time, effort, and a heart to see children overseas given opportunity, just as they have here at Saint Kentigern.
Among this year’s efforts, a number of creative fundraisers by collective groups proved great progress could be made when partnering with others. Bake sales, BBQs, raffles, and even social events became opportunities to serve. A Year 8 class ran a bake sale that raised an impressive $1,242, their highest total ever. The Service Council added sizzle with barbecues at student conferences and organised a giant Lindt bunny raffle, while Year 9 students turned their school social into a cause to raise nearly $3,000 for the challenge.
At a whole College assembly in August, World Vision representatives visited to speak of the impact this partnership is making. Our top fundraisers took this opportunity to present World Vision Associate National Director TJ Grant with the cheque.
Additionally, World Vision recognised the College’s longstanding commitment with three awards at this assembly. The Milestone Award for raising almost $2.65 million since 1984, the Ngākau Aroha Compassion Award for kindness and compassion shown locally and globally, and the Platinum Award for outstanding fundraising efforts to ensure tamariki in the Solomon Islands have access to food for healthy growth.
Behind the numbers lies something even more significant, a growing desire to serve amongst our students. Whether or not they ever see the impact first-hand, each act of service is shaping them into young people of compassion, courage, and purpose.
