Each year as part of their Feast Day celebrations, Ss Peter and Paul’s Parish Primary School, Goulburn, hold a winter appeal to raise funds for the St Vincent de Paul Society. The event was organised and run by the Year 6 Mini-Vinnies social justice group. Collectively the school community raised over $300.

Students enjoyed a non-uniform day and were encouraged to contribute a gold coin to support the winter appeal. Students enjoyed participating in games such as a football skills obstacle course, sack races, charades and a mini catapult launch.

Year 6 Mini-Vinnies leaders, Sophie Smithers and Bailey Cockburn, said that the event was very different to previous years where it was held as a joint ‘sleepout’ with St Joseph’s Primary School, Goulburn North and Trinity Catholic College, Goulburn. This year they had a lot of fun planning and organising the event.

“Planning activities was a challenge because we had to take into consideration social distancing,” said Sophie. “We were unable to offer our favourite activities such as colouring each other’s hair and serving food. We had to plan fun new activities that followed COVID-19 guidelines.”

“It was a bit confusing at first, but we learned new managing and organising skills,” Bailey said.

Louise Seaman, Religious Education Coordinator at Ss Peter and Paul’s, said she was very impressed with her Year 6 organisers.

“They were so creative and really rose to the challenge of putting on an event like this in our current circumstances,” said Louise. “They kept our focus on having fun in a safe and responsible way.”