What started out as a simple classroom activity, ended as a spirit-filled, highly successful campaign to honour and support members of the Australian Defence Force by sending care packages to deployed troops.

West Moreton Anglican College Teacher, Mr Ben O’Connell, said that students in his Year 9 SpiritED class had been learning about community building in Term 1.

“I saw a Veterans 360 Australia Facebook post, and with our strong connections to RAAF Base Amberley, I knew this would be a great project and learning opportunity for my students,” Mr O’Connell said.

“This project ties into our strengths-based wellbeing lessons on giving back to the broader community.”

"The students embraced this project whole-heartedly," he said.

"I just guided them as they drove the activity in class. They divided up into different groups, planned their care package items and then decided who would be responsible for getting the items to class. The students have been great and I am so proud of them."

Students Bridget and Lexi said that this project reminded them to be grateful.

"It was great to be involved in an activity to help our troops, who have left their families to serve our country,” Bridget said.

Lexi said, “I am happy to be giving back to our troops, knowing that I am doing something more for another Defence family. My mum really enjoyed receiving a care package when on deployment.”

Olivia, Beth and Seth said that this project related so much to what they were doing in their classes. They really enjoyed the fact that as a class they were helping the Defence community and hoped that the troops would be happy to see the items that were chosen by the students with respect and care.

The students wrote a letter to include in their care package boxes along with a range of items including deodorant, shaving cream, shower gel, instant noodles, biscuits, lollies, Tim Tams, magazines and games.

SpiritED is the College’s strengths-based wellbeing program which reflects our understanding that life-long learning involves mind, body, and spirit. During weekly lessons, our teachers focus on developing the aptitudes and attitudes that young people need to flourish in the 21st century’s rapidly changing world.