A month after the community surrounding Manning Valley Anglican College (MVAC) was devastated by floods, the Cundletown learning hub has received a welcome boost from its “sister school”, and it’s ticking all the right boxes.
While college staff and students continue to rebuild and repair after record-breaking rainfall hit the area in May, it was the personal delivery of 100 care boxes that brought much-needed smiles to the people that make up the school community.
MVAC was one of 111 NSW schools forced to close its doors from 19 to 26 May.
At the time, some families were left completely isolated as the Manning River rose to its highest level on record.
More than 220km away, members of fellow Newcastle Anglican school Lakes Grammar watched on in despair.
That was when the care box initiative was born.
Lakes Grammar student leaders and support team spent weeks fundraising for learning materials for those who had lost everything.
The school’s staff also generously donated money to create 100 care boxes, which were given to MVAC staff.
Lakes Grammar Acting Deputy Principal Alison McLarty said the process was “a wonderful way for our K-12 students to connect with those in need and see how we could make a difference”.
On Thursday, 26 June, five weeks after parts of NSW were declared natural disasters, Alison McLarty visited MVAC with Director of Academic Wellbeing Rick Hampson to deliver the 100 care boxes.
The boxes were filled with stationery, school supplies and comfort items and were embellished with the words: “To the staff walking through hard days You are not alone. Your strength, heart and quiet courage matter more than words can say.”
MVAC Acting Principal Philip Fielden said the gesture was a timely reminder.
“We are incredibly grateful for the compassion shown by our extended community,” he said.
“We truly appreciate the kindness from our colleagues at Lakes Grammar, along with the messages and well wishes from Scone Grammar and Bishop Tyrrell Anglican College.
“It is moments like these that remind us we are part of something bigger.”
Newcastle Anglican is the brand behind four centres of education offering quality education with a Christian ethos in the Anglican tradition.
