At yesterday’s Beacon of Hope Foundation Thank You Event, student Sophie Corrigan captured the group’s shared mission in one line: “We are all here because we understand that life is more than just ourselves.”

Sophie, the Beacon of Hope Captain, thanked those gathered at the Pakenham Campus for their contributions to the Foundation which helps support people in need both locally and internationally.

The Community Education Support Fund – one of the Foundation’s three arms – has alone funded bursaries of more than $190,000 since 2015, supported 27 students and provided scholarships thanks to generous donors such as Stephen Creese and the Sliding Doors Foundation.

Event attendees included charity organisation representatives, VIPs and life members, Board members, staff, significant contributors and sponsors, Beacon of Hope volunteers, parent donors and Citizenship and Service students.

Tony Kent, Deputy Head of Fred Schools, outlined some of the important work of his organisation in the remote areas of Bangladesh, where the College has helped build and maintain schools amidst shifting water levels and flood-prone landscapes.

The Beacon of Hope Foundation will help fund the building of another new school, for the modest cost of just $19,120.

Executive Principal Stephen McGinley echoed Sophie’s words, that those gathered were “choosing hope over hopelessness”.

“The Beaconhills College community has always stepped up and stepped in to do its best,” he said.

Mr McGinley also announced upcoming fundraising campaigns for a number of significant capital projects for each campus, including the new Chapel at the Berwick Campus.