Christmas Giving

Appeal for 2022

Over the next two weeks, the students will take part in lessons to introduce our Christmas Giving Appeal for 2022. They will listen to the story Four Feet, Two Sandals by Karen Lynn Williams & Khadra Mohammed, illustrated by Doug Chayka (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2007) in class groups. The students will visit the statue of Mary and Jesus in the beautiful Del Monte front garden and reflect on refugees who flee their country and home because of fear of persecution, war or injustice. Students will discuss how they could help a person feel welcomed in our community. What would they say? What could they do in our school?

Over the next four weeks, we are asking every family to give non-perishable food donations to our Del Monte Christmas Appeal. The donations will go to the House of Welcome at Granville, a community service supporting refugees and their families who are not permitted to work while they wait for their visas to be processed. The House of Welcome provides holistic support that nurtures hope, advocates for justice and promotes self-reliance, whilst acknowledging the dignity and the rights of each individual. Donations can be send to school with your children and placed in their classroom. Our Year 4 teams will collect the donations each day.

Lord, no refugee is a stranger to You, and no one is ever far from Your loving care. Watch over children and families as they travel to camps or relocate within their country. Shelter their souls and their bodies. Heal the hearts of refugees who have endured unimaginable tragedy and trauma.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Psalm 46:1 (NIV)

Tina Nicotina
Religious Education Coordinator P-6 Pastoral Care Coordinator P-4