By Rachel Curry
The enthusiastic embrace of LifeLink Day by two Western Australian schools was recently acknowledged after they were presented with the 2015 Archbishop’s Spirit Award.
Archdiocese of Perth Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton visited Infant Jesus School in Morley on Thursday, 1 December to present their award at an assembly, while John Paul College in Kalgoorlie also recently received their award.
Both schools were acknowledged for their outstanding support for and positive participation in LifeLink Day, a Catholic education initiative which promotes the work of LifeLink agencies and encourages schools to participate by fundraising for those in need.
LifeLink Day was held on 8 June this year, when Archbishop Timothy Costelloe announced Infant Jesus School and John Paul College as joint recipients of the 2015 honour.
The Archbishop’s Spirit Award recognises not only support for LifeLink Day, but also a commitment to educating students on their responsibility to care for those less fortunate in our community, and the promotion of an ethos of care and compassion.
Infant Jesus School Principal Paul Hille said it was wonderful that Bishop Sproxton was able to visit the school and personally explain to the students why they were chosen for the award.
“Bishop Sproxton explained it really well to the kids: that it wasn’t about the school that raised the most money, it was about the school that was active in support of the cause,” he said.
“I thought that was really special, that he shared that information with the students, staff and parents.”
Infant Jesus School has been a long-time supporter of LifeLink Day, holding regular fundraisers and this year participating in the Link Up on LifeLink Day paper chain display at Lake Monger.
Mr Hille said it was a worthy cause.
“Schools definitely get behind it and we talk about it with our kids a fair bit; it becomes a real focus,” he said.
“It’s very important that our school community makes a connection with the fundraiser. It’s good for the kids to see we can give back to our community in this way.”
John Paul College Principal, Bradley Hall, was also pleased that his school was recognised by the Archbishop, describing the award as “a great accolade for our students and teachers”.
“It’s an acknowledgment of the work of students and staff in recognising that there is a great need in our community and that the college can assist people in need through what we do,” he said.
Mr Hall said the school had been a supporter of LifeLink Day for a number of years, primarily through its Founders Day Fair, which raises significant funds for the cause.
John Paul College does not concentrate on fundraising alone, however, with Mr Hall stressing that it is important for students to understand the message behind LifeLink Day.
“In the lead up there is a publicity campaign and we make sure students know why they’re raising funds and that the money is going to Western Australians in need,” he said.
“It’s also a way of following in the footsteps of our founders, the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart and the Christian Brothers, who cared for the underprivileged in society.”
Fundraising for LifeLink Day 2016 has recently surpassed Archbishop Costelloe’s goal of $100,000, with more funds expected to be received before the end of the school year.
LifeLink agencies such as The Shopfront, Centrecare, Identitywa, Centacare Employment and Training, the Emmanuel Centre and Daydawn Advocacy Centre, support more than 34,000 Western Australians in need each year.
For more information, visit www.lifelink.com.au.