As one of our beautiful Christmas traditions, each House Group at Siena has been allocated the details of a family who access the services of St Mary’s House of Welcome in Fitzroy. Groups of students will purchase gifts for adult women, men or children of specific ages and genders. This annual outreach opportunity enables our students to mindfully recognise their position of privilege and to act to do something practical to improve the lives of others through small acts of generosity. At the end of each year, staff from St Mary’s collect the items we have donated and distribute them to families at their Christmas gathering at the Fitzroy Town Hall.

Our Junior SRC students decorated our Christmas tree and have placed it in the Student Reception foyer. All donations can now be placed under the tree. Should Siena families wish to donate additional items, please see the list below as suggestions:

For younger children:

• Toys (age appropriate)
• Bubbles
• Books (picture books, board books)
• Games (card games, puzzles, board games)
• •Clothes (t-shirts, socks, hats, pjs, footy gear)
• Stationery (textas, pens, pencils, pencil cases)
• Accessories (backpack, water bottle, hair ties, head bands, head phones)

For older children:

• Toiletries (lip balm, make up, body lotions, perfume, aftershave)
• Stationery (pens, pencils, pencil cases, calendar, diary)
• Beach towel
• Gift vouchers
• Accessories (backpack, water bottle, hair ties, head bands, head phones)

Adults:

• Toiletries (lip balm, make up, body lotions, perfume, soap, shower gels, bath bombs, shower gel, aftershave)
• Stationery (diary/day planner, calendar)
• Candles
• Clothing
• Books
• Gift vouchers
• Gardening equipment
• Cooking supplies/utensils/cookbooks

Festive foods, condiments, chocolates, tea, coffee are also encouraged.