FIVE Mt St Michael College students received Sisters of Charity Awards on November 2 for their commitment to the poor.
Kathryn Badini (Year 11), Emily Rees (Year 10), Kelly Davies (Year 12), Bianca Knaggs (Year 8) and Ashleigh Vickers (Year 9) epitomise the caring nature of the religious order that established the Ashgrove school more than 80 years ago.
For Kelly, the school’s social justice captain and vice-president of the school’s Missions of St Vincent de Paul’s group, it was the culmination of five years of learning to give.
“Community service has been a very big part of my life at Mt St Michael’s, as it is for many girls here,” Kelly said.
“It’s opened my eyes to other aspects of life that I wouldn’t otherwise know about and meet some wonderful people along the way.
“Whether we’re visiting residents at an aged care facility, or organising gifts for less fortunate families for Christmas, or knitting squares for blankets for the homeless, we learn that every little bit help and little things do make a difference.”
Outstanding academic, cultural and sporting efforts were also acknowledged at the awards ceremony.
College captain Lucy Geraghty capped off her final year as dux, receiving the Sisters of Charity Award for First Place in Year 12.
She also shared the Jenny Sheahan Award for Leadership with vice-captain Mia Hickey.
Other special awards went to: Elizabeth Colwell (Sportswoman of the Year), Harriet Devlin (Cultural Performer of the Year), Brodie-Anne Fredrickson (Arthur Apelt Award for Science and Caltex Best All Rounder Award), Alexandra Heron (Service Award), Rachel Tierney (Social Justice Award) and Jessica Ribot-de-Bresac (Rotary Best All Rounder Award).
