St Joseph’s students raise $525 by sleeping rough

By Gabriel Garcia

May 8, 2023

Rugged up: St Joseph’s Primary School student leaders (back) Asha Mustica and Ada Kennedy, and (front) Zac Trist and Ben Padman prepare to rough it for charity. Photo by Gabriel Garcia

St Joseph’s Primary School Year 5 and 6 students raised $525 when they slept rough on Friday, May 5, experiencing what it is like be the homeless.

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A total of 31 students and nine staff braved the freezing cold and slept on pieces of cardboard around the Cobram school’s playground, rugged up in warm clothes, blankets and sleeping bags.

In a letter to parents the school’s student leaders said the genesis of the sleep out was a leadership day held in Mooroopna last year, which opened the students’ eyes to the issue of homelessness.

“There are so many people struggling and living in poverty all around the world and even in our community here in Cobram. We want to end poverty in Cobram and help people who are homeless,” the letter said.

Excited: St Joseph’s Primary School students Harrison Mynard, Xavier Brady and Lachlan Sullivan prepare to sleep rough. Photo by Gabriel Garcia

Student leader Zac Trist said students saw a need and wanted to donate to help alleviate homelessness in the Cobram area.

Student leader Ada Kennedy said it was important for students to understand how it felt to be homeless and admitted being slightly nervous about how much sleep she would actually get.

“Definitely getting the sleep and just getting everyone situated and okay with the idea,” she said.

Woolworths Cobram donated Milo and biscuits for the students to consume on the Saturday morning.

Karyn Spataro helped her daughter, Olivia Spataro, prepare for the night.

“I was really proud of the kids and what they were trying to achieve by sleeping rough,” she said.

Picking up her daughter on Saturday morning, Mrs Spataro said Olivia did not have the most comfortable night but nonetheless got through it.

“She said it was really hard and cold but she slept anyway. I couldn’t be prouder of all the kids,” she said.