This year saw the first time that the weekly cooking club was combined with the valuable service-learning program run at St James’. Mrs Ange Robertson ably assisted by Zoe C J in Year 11, created a menu that included a festive array of foods that could be prepared each week with the aim to deliver 200 boxes of delicious Christmas treats to both the Salvation Army and Food4All.

The boxes contained, buttery shortbread, Christmas chocolate bark with festive toppings, tiny chocolate puddings and an old favourite, the creamy rich coconut slice. The cooking club was a buzz with festive music, delicious smells and lots of fun as we created these boxes to bring Christmas cheer to our local community members in need.

Mrs Belinda Pownell, along with Meadow T & Zoe C J delivered the first 100 boxes to the Salvation Army on Friday 7 November which were well received by the volunteers there. On Tuesday 11 of. November, Mrs Stacey Syme took the remaining 100 boxes to Food4All where the students – Zoe C J, Jorja B & Keeley S not only delivered the boxes but had the privilege of serving them to families who were there.

The Year 11 students who volunteered along with the cooking club members, have commented about how rewarding this experience was and we look forward to making this a yearly tradition.