Donations Needed for Gold Duke of Edinburgh Cambodia Fundraiser

The Year 11 and 12 Gold Duke of Edinburgh students are preparing for a life-changing service trip to Cambodia this June and are calling on the Stella community for support. As part of their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, the students will travel to Siem Reap where they will continue Stella Maris College’s long-standing partnership with the Happy Days Cambodian English School, a charity founded by Mike Pawley that provides education and support for children and families in rural communities.

For more than ten years, Stella students have worked with the Happy Days Charity to help create opportunities for young people who would otherwise have limited access to schooling. During this year’s visit, the students hope to make a meaningful contribution by raising funds for essential resources for the local community, including 40 bicycles to help children travel safely to school, ceiling fans for Propel Primary School, and six sewing machines that will allow village mothers to make clothing and bags for their families.

To support this important work, the students are holding an online auction fundraiser and are seeking donations from families, friends and local businesses. Items such as gift vouchers, experiences, products, or services would be greatly appreciated and will help make the fundraiser a success. Every contribution, big or small, will directly support the students’ efforts to improve access to education and opportunities for children in rural Cambodia.

If you are able to donate an item for the auction or would like more information, please contact Linda Silburn via the College on 9977 5144 or email linda_silburn@stellamaris.nsw.edu.au.

Thank you for your continued generosity and for supporting our students as they strive to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

Kangaroo Valley Gold Adventurous Journey

On Friday last week, 41 girls set off on the Kangaroo Valley Gold Adventurous Journey. It was a wholesome, challenging and memorable experience that strengthened the bonds not only between friends, but also with the teachers who kindly volunteered to accompany us. The hike didn’t exactly go to plan, as extreme weather conditions required a change of route. The girls responded really well to this challenge, continuing with their canoeing each day until the end and still enjoying their time out in the valley.

We have also had a huge 125 Year 9 students sign up for the Bronze Award, which makes me very excited for the year ahead. In their training session last Tuesday, they learnt the ways of the Trangia and how to set up their Award, so I’m eager to see how you all progress through the year towards your Pack and Paddle Adventurous Journey. Just a reminder to organise your assessors for the Skill, Physical Recreation and Service sections of your Award so you can begin logging your hours as soon as possible.

Thirty-two girls are set to go on their Snowy Mountains hike, and it was great to see your faces at the lunchtime meeting on Tuesday. The girls began planning their meals for the trip and preparing for their shopping day on 27 March. Just a reminder to finalise your grocery list before that Friday so you know exactly what you need and it’s simply a matter of ticking items off the list.

If students have any issues, questions, or Award suggestions, the Duke of Ed team is available for in-person Award assistance every Tuesday, or students are welcome to get in touch via email.

Sanna M
Duke of Edinburgh Prefect