Winter Sleepout

Our annual Winter Sleepout last Friday night and the sale of face masks over the past few weeks has seen a dedicated group of students and teachers raise $1814 for St Vincent de Paul, 300 Blankets and Hope Street Youth and Family Services.

College Social Justice Coordinator Ms Clare Hume and Student Leadership Coordinator Ms Nirasha Pandi along with 14 students turned off their heaters and slept on the floor with one blanket, pillow and a mat.

COVID-19 restrictions meant the group were unable to gather in person this year, so the event was run online through Teams.

The sleepout included many activities designed to highlight the plight of homeless people. Teachers and staff built blanket shelters, played an interactive video game and created posters. They also heard from organisations that help the homeless and disadvantaged in our local community and the story of a former CRC student who experienced homelessness after leaving school.

To add to the sleepout tally, two generous staff members, Mrs Amy Rowley and Mrs Green, made and sold face masks to staff (prior to Stage 4 lockdown).

Student reflections

“After participating in the Winter Sleep Out, I have a new appreciation and understanding for those who are homeless. It’s not their fault - it happens as a result of bad luck and unfortunate circumstances and could happen to anyone at any moment. You don’t realise how hard it must be for them to get a good night’s sleep, or how many things they have to do just to survive, with the added issue of being stuck with their thoughts all day, every day. I think we all need to appreciate the fact that we have a safe place to call home, and all the little things that we have that homeless people miss out on.” Sophie Hine

“I learnt that homelessness isn’t just a person that lives on the street but can come in many different forms. I also learnt that although people live stable lives, homelessness can still happen to anyone.” Madlen Hill

“Homelessness isn’t the worst thing when the only alternative is being a victim.” Abby Timms

“An image of a homeless person can be thought of by anyone, more than once will it be someone begging on the pathways. This experience allowed us to find a more accurate perception, which in no one case is the same.” Darcy Makin

“I learnt that every homeless person has their own story about how they became homeless and it may not be what you think.” Elesha Gruis

“I came to realise the realities of those who are homeless, and the barriers they overcome every day. They deserve equal rights and every one of them should be treated respectfully.” Raheal Mengistu

“You think you know what homeless people experience, but after completing interesting and interactive activities relating to homelessness, and after sleeping in a fort with only a sleeping bag and a pillow, I can say I have experienced only a very small part of what people go through when they have no home of their own. Homeless people are humans like you, no different to you.” Ophelia Fernando

“I found it really interesting how despite having my warmest pyjamas and a blanket I was still so cold because I was not on an actual bed, and how uncomfortable it was tossing and turning all night. I can only imagine how restless the homeless would be when this is mixed with fear and insecurity.”  Maddison Fenton