On any given night in our community, hundreds of Tasmanians sleep in a vulnerable state of homelessness.
Statistics indicate that young people aged from 12 – 25 are the largest cohort of those who don’t have secure or safe accommodation.
Earlier this year, senior students Rebekah Boonstra and Tilly Hartog attended a breakfast hosted by the Salvation Army which promoted the Salvos Winter Sleepout and gave information about the vital local work of the Salvos in Hobart. Inspired by the challenge to make a difference, Bek and Tilly returned to our school community and with the support of the Student Council, formed our first ever Salvos Sleepout school group. With a huge fundraising effort including personal sponsorship, bake sales and promotion in our school community, our Salvos Sleepout team raised a staggering $11,465, all of which will go to care for the most vulnerable in our society.
“While the Winter Sleepout called for a sacrifice of comfort and warmth, the lessons we learned about empathy, compassion and kindness towards others made the frosty night and morning completely worth it.”
On a very chilly Thursday night a few weeks ago, 22 of our Year 11 and 12 students gathered in the courtyard at Calvin for the Winter Sleepout. Armed only with some cardboard, sleeping bags and stacks of good will, our students constructed their beds for the night and prepared for a pretty uncomfortable night’s sleep. Around the fire pit, we listened to some stories from members of the local Salvation Army and were struck by how much need there is in our community.
Throughout the gospel, Jesus called those around Him to live lives of radical obedience; to love with extravagance and care with compassion for the poor and those in need. In the past few months, we have been blessed to see so many of our senior students respond to this call and put their faith into action is such a practical and committed way. While the Winter Sleepout called for a sacrifice of comfort and warmth, the lessons we learned about empathy, compassion and kindness towards others made the frosty night and morning completely worth it.
Stelle Carmichael - Head of Students