On Monday the 23 October, Year 6 visited Thread Together and the Kids Giving Back as part of their Service Learning. Both these charities are committed to helping homeless and disadvantaged people get back on their feet.

Thread Together, organises the supply of new clothes to charities across Australia. Previously, these clothes were dumped into landfill to make way for new lines and at a significant cost to the clothing companies, however, now they can give these to Thread Together, get a tax break, and help hundreds of people. Last year the charity dealt with over a million items of clothing.

On arriving at the warehouse the boys were greeted with a massive pile of clothing that required folding and sorting – the sorting was fine, but the folding may need a little more practice.

We also had the opportunity to make meals for the Addison Project organised by Kids Giving Back. This project in Kensington offers accommodation for young people and families who would otherwise live on the streets. Our meals of pasta salad and wraps were possibly the only meal these men, women, and children would have that day.

Having the opportunity to serve others was a wonderful experience for the boys, and made quite an impression. On returning to school, we received a lovely email from the charities which showed just what a difference the boys made that day.

To the school Principal

Today, we hosted 45 young boys from your year 6 class. They came to Thread Together to put into practice service work I am advised you promote at the school.

The purpose of this email is to congratulate you on these boys. From the moment they arrived to our community centre/warehouse, they showed respect and maturity well beyond their years. They listened carefully to what Thread Together is about, they interacted beautifully in discussion, and then attended to the practical charity work with enthusiasm and determination. The upshot of their time with us today, under the Food Clothing Shelter Program they attended, was that over 2,000 items of clothes were sorted and prepared for our charity partners in Adelaide and Sydney, and over 80 meals were made and delivered (by your boys) to a youth crisis centre in Kensington, with which Thread Together is associated.

Your teachers and the school generally, as well as the boys’ parents ought be extremely proud of their conduct. They represented themselves and your school with absolute distinction.

There is no doubt as to the reason Newington often produces leaders, today we met 45 future ones.

We thank you and look forward to welcoming new groups in the future.

Please send our thanks to the boys.

Best wishes

Greg Fisher | Chief Executive Officer

Katrina James and Phil Trethewey – Year 6 Teachers