Beaconhills College

Rice and pasta donations are flowing in as Beaconhills College families help support the Feed Melbourne Appeal’s Rice and Pasta Drive.

Beaconhills has teamed up with Victorian charity FareShare’s Feed Melbourne Appeal to help support people struggling to put food on the table.

Rice and pasta are quick and filling staples found in the average Aussie pantry, but not everyone in Melbourne has access to food all of the time. The Foodbank Australia 2016 Hunger Report and Foodbank Victoria statistics showed one in 10 Victorians don’t know where their next meal is coming from and one in seven children go to school hungry.

Beaconhills’ Head of Citizenship and Service Clare Tuohy thanked families who had already donated and said the campaign would run until the end of May.

Berwick Campus dancers have once again impressed the judges in the preliminary heats of the Dance Star and Glee competition held on 6-7 May.

In group competition, the glee, small lyrical, large lyrical, large jazz and small jazz all progressed through the state championships. Soloists Holly Neale, Ruby Thornton-Mackay, Allie Catrucco, Molly Whytcross, Georgia Presutto and Teagan Hogben also made it through, with Holly recording the highest score of the competition of 95.8 in the senior solos.

The figures are in. Beaconhills College has officially raised $50,613 to help fight cancer, through its two Relay for Life events.

The College’s Head of Citizenship and Service, Clare Tuohy, said it was an outstanding effort from the 466 Beaconhills community members who took part in the events and those who made donations.

“Once again our College community does not just ‘talk the talk’, we ‘walk the walk’,” she said.

“Every member of Beaconhills is so proud of this magnificent outcome and our contribution to finding a cure for cancer.

“Our $50,612 will be a worthy and highly-valued contribution to cancer research undertaken at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute in Melbourne.”

To top off the good news, Berwick Campus’ Beacon of Hope team was also the highest fundraiser in the City of Casey.

Year 3 Beaconhills College student Peyton Haines has become the highest fundraiser in the country for the Heart Foundation’s ‘Jump Rope for Heart’ campaign, raising a staggering $2000 to help fight heart disease.

Peyton is one of 100 Pakenham Campus Junior School students helping raise money for the cause through a series of skipping activities. So far the students have raised a total of $9500, the third highest amount of any school in Australia.

While Peyton says she has lost track of how many skips she has done, she was proud of all the donations from her generous family and friends.

Jump Rope for Heart raises money for life-saving heart research and education programs. Beaconhills College Junior School students have been enthusiastic supporters of the campaign and will keep skipping until 7 June.

Beaconhills College’s popular ‘Random Acts of Kindness’ project is putting a smile on the faces of Melbourne pedestrians once again, as Year 9s hit the streets bearing gifts and cards.

Year 9 students take part in the project each year and it has become very popular. It involves students handing out a simple gift, flower or even a poem to a stranger – just to spread some joy and positivity. ‘Citizenship and Service’ is one of the pillars of learning at Beaconhills College.

Year 9 staff have received a number of letters in recent days from delighted recipients.

One writer said she was delighted to receive a red rose from a student while working in the city.

“After the week I had been having, this was a joyous, spontaneous surprise and I cannot put into words the feelings I had the moment the young man handed me the rose with such confidence, respect and pride,” she said.

A teacher, in a letter he sent today (2 May), said he was amazed to see Beaconhills students donate a new pair of gloves to a homeless man in Elizabeth Street.

“My hat goes off to your school for encouraging such humbleness in your students,” he said.

Another couple praised the College for the initiative and said receiving a simple card reading “I hope this makes your Friday a lot better’ was a ‘feel good moment’ for them.

Year 10 Beaconhills student Jake Cawfield’s debut film Mum’s Chores has won the Green Foot Flicks film festival (under 15 section) run by the City of Knox. The Mayor of Knox presented him with his trophy and a cheque for $300. Mum’s Chores was also shortlisted earlier this year in Tropfest’s junior short film competition. Jake – from the Berwick Campus – is pictured here with his step-mum and dad after the ceremony. Congratulations Jake!

You can now view Jake’s film here on Youtube