SCORING goals is an essential part of any school year, but for the students at St Martin's Catholic Primary School, Carina, the goals they kicked will change lives.
From crazy socks to makeshift soccer balls, it has all been part of the school's support for Socktober – a Catholic Mission Australia campaign that raises awareness and funds for vulnerable children in developing countries.
This year, the focus of the learning and fundraising efforts the students participated in during World Mission Month was to support the Good Shepherd Sisters' project for The Kindergarten in Bangkok – and so far, St Martin's will be donating an amazing $6,837!
Assistant Principal of Religious Education at the school Jenny Cran said, “every week for the entire month of October, classes used 'mission packs' filled with activities and resources".
“We really wanted to get the children to understand why we were fundraising … why children overseas need our support, and to expose some of the root causes of poverty. In doing this, we are preparing our students to be responsible leaders of change in the future," Jenny said.
“We'd like to thank the entire St Martin's school community for their amazing contributions, as well as all the children who wrote lovely messages when they donated. It's great to see that they really understand why we're raising money for the children in Bangkok."
One of the activities involved the students creating a makeshift soccer ball made of recycled materials brought in by the students.
“A ball such as this is one that Pope Francis would have used when he was a little boy growing up, and this is also what the children use in Thailand," Jenny said.
“Because they can't afford a real soccer ball like our children can, they make their own out of socks and plastic bags and rope, and that's exactly what our kids have done."
“The soccer part of the program helps the students to understand that, while we might be more privileged than children in Thailand, we are very similar at a fundamental level, in our love of games and sports."
Crazy socks were all the fashion for Socktober
Sue Williams, Youth and Student Engagement Officer from Catholic Mission Australia, said with 111 schools in Queensland participating this year and close to 370 nationally, “Socktober is a way to engage schools with the head, heart and hands model – where they're learning about something, feeling empathy for others and then taking action".
“The Good Shepherd Sisters' project supports mothers and babies at The Kindergarten in Bangkok, Thailand," Sue said.
“They've been there for about 55 years. It's a place that provides a safe learning environment for children and life-changing empowerment for their mothers."
“Many schools in Queensland are hosting Socktober events in support of Catholic Mission offline.
We'd be delighted if all our catholic school communities throughout the state would join the Socktober journey and register for Socktober in 2022," Sue said.
As a final celebration day for the program and funds raised, the school organised a day of activities for the students around the soccer theme.
Jenny said the students really enjoyed the variety of activities.
“It's actually lovely that our event falls on today as it's Saint Martin's Feast Day, and he lived a life of service, helping others in need – and that's the message we're trying to get across to the children, to help others especially those in need."
There is still time to support St Martin's efforts through the Socktober campaign, by visiting www.socktober.org.au and using the 'support a school' function.