CATHOLIC schools and colleges across Queensland have been helping their colleagues in far north Queensland in the aftermath of Cyclone Larry.
Some schools hosted children while their families rebuilt homes, others raised money for the victims.
In Brisbane, St Dympna’s School, Aspley held a free sausage sizzle breakfast and free dress day on March 31 with proceeds sent to schools in Innisfail.
Holy Spirit School, Bray Park raised $431 from an ice cream day for St John’s School, Silkwood.
Holy Spirit principal Peter Pashen, who is a former principal at St John’s, said the school would match the amount raised dollar for dollar to bring the total to $862.
At St Martin’s School, Carina, staff and students raised money through a coloured clothes day on the last day of term with a gold coin donation.
Darra Jindalee Catholic School held a free dress day to raise funds for Cyclone Larry victims and profits from the Year 5/6 market day were sent to Cairns diocese for distribution.
In Cairns, Holy Cross School, Trinity Park, sent a small truck full of non-perishable goods and clothes/towels/blankets to Innisfail on March 24.
Our Lady Help of Christians School, Earlville held a full day prayer vigil led by captains and the liturgy committee in Our Lady Help of Christians Church.
Each class spent 30 minutes in prayer in the church.
The school also hosted students from affected areas and was a drop off point for a St Vincent de Paul Society collection.
St Augustine’s School, Mossman sent a busload of students and staff to South Johnstone and Innisfail to help clean up.
They also made available buses and staff to transport children to Cairns for recreational activities, and will donate the money from the college walkathon to St Rita’s School, South Johnstone.
In Townsville, Ryan Catholic College, Kirwan, was inundated by donations of cash and goods such as clothing, towels, linen and food.
Southern Cross Catholic School, also in Townsville, ordered two sets of class readers and parents organised for them to be covered before being sent to Good Counsel Primary School in Innisfail.