Karen McNamara (Dobell, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I would like to inform the House of work undertaken by students at Lakes Grammar, in my electorate, to support Ronald McDonald House. The opportunity class at Lakes Grammar, an Anglican school, consists of children from year 5 and year 6. These 10- and 11-year-olds have been involved in an integrated unit of work that looks at ethics, social justice and obligation. This learning inspired the opportunity class to raise funds to assist with a Ronald McDonald House project at Gosford Hospital by planning and organising a dinner to raise funds.

Ronald McDonald House provides support programs that directly improve the health and wellbeing of children. This particular project will see the development of a family room, attached to the paediatric ward at Gosford Hospital, which will provide families of very ill children with an area to relax.

The dinner was held on 11 October, and, as a result of the students' efforts, over $15,000 was raised. Year 6 student Olivia Roberts commented:

It was very stressful but we pulled together and have managed to make enough to make a big difference to Ronald McDonald House Charities. As well as the planning … we also cooked, cleaned, waited on tables, greeted our guests and much, much more.

Student Deanna Barnes said:

We have learned a lot about what we can do to help our community and the people in it … We have also learned that helping other people is something you can do no matter what age you are.

Mr William Wallace, head of the junior school, was thrilled that the students were able to develop a greater sense of the needs of others and what they can do to help. The students were able to present their cheque for $15,000 to a representative of Ronald McDonald House Charities on 28 October. I commend the efforts of Lakes Grammar students to the House.

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