Calamvale Community College has raised more than $2,800 for local and national charities during a fundraising extravaganza that has been building momentum since August.

The entire College rallied together for a PJ and Onesie Day to raise funds for the Children’s Tumour Foundation (CTF) and Ronald McDonald House. CTF – which supports individuals living with neurofibromatosis – is close to the hearts of the school community. Over the years, the College has raised more than $2,500 for CTF and neurofibromatosis. This year, students celebrated diversity and inclusivity by turning the school campus into a menagerie of lions, tigers, bears and superheroes.

While the rest of the school community went home to warm beds, the College’s Year 12 students donned their pyjamas and onesies throughout the night for a Winter Sleepout event. From 4pm to 7am, the College’s senior students camped out in the library with limited food resources, cardboard beds, and no technology.

These students woke up tired and sore but with big smiles, having just raised $400 for Orange Sky Australia, a Brisbane-based entrepreneurial start-up committed to improving conditions for individuals experiencing homelessness.

Braving the cold with her students was the College’s Executive Principal, Lisa Starmer, who proudly acknowledges the humanitarian efforts of her students.

She says that the College encourages student-based fundraising efforts as they build maturity, and breed long-term social engagement and community commitment. “Our students are active citizens of the world – they are caring, committed, and most of all prepared to go the extra mile to help those in need.”

The College’s younger students are also leading the way, with Year 6 student Tayla Davis initiating a Cupcake Day to raise funds for the RSPCA and animal welfare. On 6 September, the smell of home-made cupcakes, brownies, and cookies wafted across the campus and attracted the school community to donate more than $890 for the RSPCA.