By Dongyun Kwon
HICCI marked the launch of its first Community Spirit Award to local primary schools starting with Healesville Primary School on Friday 24 November.
The Community Spirit Award is to be granted to a Grade 6 student who demonstrates personal endeavour, achievement, and contribution to the community from the five local primary schools, Badger Creek Primary School, Chum Creek Primary School, Healesville Primary School, Saint Brigid’s Primary School and Yarra Glen Primary School.
HICCI president Libby Prentice said the award could be launched with the help of a generous anonymous donor.
“[Through the award,] we want to reach out to a lot of young families in primary schools who need our assistance and encourage young students into thinking about social justice issues, care and really linking an effort to care and respect for other people and work in the community,” Ms Prentice said.
“It is given to a Grade 6 student to help their family bear the costs that are associated with moving from primary school to high school.”
The first HICCI Community Spirit Award was given to Brianna Macdonald during the Healesville Primary School’s fortnightly assembly.
Brianna came to the school at the beginning of this year but she has donated her time generously both inside and outside school hours.
She was chosen by her peers to represent them on the Junior School Council where she has shown good judgement and leadership skills.
Brianna has been always the first student to put her hand up, no matter the job required, to help anyone who needs it, has volunteered to undertake extra preparation for the school production with costumes and has helped teachers with jobs such as putting up the flags in the morning and assisting in the prep-2 area.
Brianna’s Grade 5/6 teacher at Healesville Primary School Brooke Lawson said she was extremely proud of her student who has shined the whole time.
“She’s [Brianna] just incredible and so helpful. She is just somebody that everybody feels included around. She just wants everyone to be included and happy, even staff as well. She has great relationships with the staff and she goes out of her way to help anyone who needs it at any time,” she said.
“In the classroom, she works so hard and strives to be the best that she can be at all times. She’s an excellent role model to everybody.”
Award recipient Brianna Macdonald said she was surprised by winning the award.
“I thought it was gonna be someone else from the Junior School Council,” She said.
“I am actually really happy because this award means I have done a good job [at the new school] with a good personality.”
