February 14, 2013
Students at St John’s Lutheran school in Kingaroy recently held a Free Dress Day to raise funds for a sister school in Bundaberg badly affected by the recent floods
Floodwaters damaged four classrooms at St John’s Lutheran Primary School at Bundaberg as well as the kindy classroom.
Photos were sent to St John’s Kingaroy so staff and students could see the damage firsthand.
The Free Dress Day raised an amazing $1100.
School Captains Oscar Schmidt and Lize Potgieter presented the cheque to principal Mrs Helen Folker who will hand deliver it to Bundaberg tomorrow (Friday).
“Principals within the Lutheran system in rural areas meet to network and discuss educational issues at least once a term,” Mrs Folker said.
“We were due to meet this coming weekend in Bargara and obviously that was in doubt due to the flooding.
“The principal of St John’s Bundaberg, Mrs Janelle Turner, was keen to still have the meetings in the Bargara and Bundaberg area as she felt this was a practical way to show support for the region by supporting local businesses.
“As a school, we considered sending specific resources over to Bundaberg school however the principal said the school community would prefer the cash donations that will assist in rebuilding local businesses within the community.
“About 10 per cent of their families lost their homes completely and quite a few also lost their businesses.
“I am overwhelmed the way our students have supported this cause and I will be able to report back to them some ways that the Bundaberg students are wanting to spend the donation.
“School has now resumed for the students in Bundaberg and I am confident that the experience will demonstrate a resilient community.
“Our school’s worship theme for 2013 is ‘Mission Possible – Care, Share, Repair’.
“This theme ties in with being able to support another school community in times of need and show that we care in such a difficult time.”
