Big Hearts and Bold Ideas – Our Vinnies Girls Step Up

March 27, 2025

Last week, a group of our Year 9 students took part in the Young Vinnies Connection event, and they absolutely shone. The day brought together secondary students from across Perth who are passionate about making a difference. While most schools sent their oldest students, ours were the youngest in the room, but you wouldn’t have guessed it.

Learning About the Vinnies Mission

Hosted at Ozanam House in Canning Vale, the event gave students a deeper understanding of the scale and heart behind Vinnies WA. The day began with a snapshot of the charity’s powerful history, followed by a lively game of bingo, a fun way to connect with new faces and find common ground across schools.

Getting Involved and Giving Back

From there, the girls got to work. With purpose and plenty of teamwork, they packed 100 hygiene kits, both male and female, for those doing it tough. They also had the chance to meet and chat with Vinnies conference members over lunch, ask thoughtful questions, and hear about opportunities to volunteer at places like Tom Fisher House, Passages and Vinnies shops.

Behind the Scenes at Vinnies Headquarters

There was a tour of the warehouse where donated clothing, bedding and homewares are sorted and sent to those in need. Even the call centre, often unseen, left an impression. The day wrapped up with brainstorming fundraising ideas, taking inspiration from what other schools are doing and bringing that energy back home.

Confidence, Compassion and Connection

What stood out most was the confidence and enthusiasm of our girls. Despite being surrounded by older peers, they leaned in, asked questions, made friends and left a lasting impression. The event coordinator even took a moment to point them out, praising their energy and contribution. That’s what service with spirit looks like.

Reflecting on the Day

As Lucy in Year 9 shared,

“Something important I learned was about how much Vinnies does that is not just the shopfront and how many people work behind the scenes and volunteer their time to help those in need.”

Through days like this, our students are living out our Mercy values of service and compassion. Experiences like these help them understand what it means to lead with heart and step up for others in real, practical ways.

CommunityServices, Featured, MercyValues, SocialJustice, StudentLeadership, VinniesWA, Year9, YouthVolunteering

Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.