St Patrick's College Founders' Day Raffle 2023

 Founders' Day Raffle Appeal

“Never see a need without doing something about it.” – Mary MacKillop 

In the past 13 years through a united effort, St Patrick’s College has raised over $134,000 for people in need throughout the world and on our own shores through our annual raffle appeal. These donations have made a profound and lasting difference in the lives, education and wellbeing of many. 

This year our fundraising efforts are focused on the values of social justice, excellence and endeavour in the spirit of our nominated Founder for 2023, Saint Mary MacKillop. Mary MacKillop was a dedicated and determined model of servant leadership – she committed to serving the poor directly, going to where the need was and living amongst those in need.

We are raising awareness and funds for the Mary MacKillop Today project Timor-Leste: Tetun Literacy & Teacher Training Program.

Timor-Leste (or East Timor) is located to the northwest of Australia, and has been long affected by deep poverty due to political unrest. As a result, significant numbers of children have experienced little or no education.

Over the last few years, school enrolment rates have greatly improved, however the quality of education being provided remains poor due to the limited formal education of the teachers. 

Improving the skills of teachers through innovative and ongoing training is one of the biggest investments a country can make to improve learning outcomes among children, and the Ministry of Education in Timor-Leste has cited this a priority as it rebuilds its fledging education system.

In response to this great need, Mary MacKillop Today’s Tetun Literacy and Teacher Training Project provides ongoing training and support to pre-primary and primary teachers from remote areas, to equip them with the skills, knowledge and resources to effectively deliver the national curriculum to their students and ensure they receive quality education in the classroom.