The Mini Vinnies team at Christ the King School in Graceville has been baking up kindness this festive season, making and selling home-made biscuits to raise funds for the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal. The student-led effort is a simple, hands-on way for young people to contribute to others in need and to learn about community service.
Read: Historic Graceville Homes Sells for $1.8M after Stunning Renovation
Their biscuit drive comes amid a wider swell of generosity across Brisbane Catholic Education’s 146 schools. Staff and students are taking part in programs and activities that reflect the season’s focus on care, support, and connection.
At BCE’s Woolloongabba office, staff again supported the long-running Adopt-a-Family initiative. Now in its 21st year, the program offers relief to families facing hardship, including unemployment, homelessness, family breakdown or those seeking asylum. This year the team prepared 91 wrapped boxes of gifts and non-perishable food items for 20 families.
The program involves staff, program founder and former recipient Sue Treweek, Father Wally Dethlefs and Life Without Barriers National Immigration Services. Helen Hartwig, BCE Officer Services Team Leader, said the program builds hope and brings joy to those who need it most. Father Dethlefs and his helpers are delivering the boxes to families ahead of Christmas.
Students across BCE are also contributing in varied and practical ways. At Mt Maria College Petrie, pupils placed donations for the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal beneath the school’s Giving Tree during a special Christmas liturgy. Jared Press, Assistant Principal Formation and Identity, said donations have grown for the second year running, and staff at the college raised more than $700 in food vouchers to support local families.
Prep classes at Mater Dei Catholic Primary School, Ashgrove West, brought the Nativity story to life for their school community, offering a straightforward retelling of the Christmas story that connected children, families and staff.
At St Ambrose’s Primary School, Newmarket, students returned for a third year to sing carols, do crafts and spend time with residents at Mercy Community Aged Care. The visits help students build meaningful intergenerational relationships while providing companionship and seasonal cheer to aged-care residents.
Back in Graceville, Mini Vinnies members at Christ the King have turned baking into a charitable activity, selling biscuits with the proceeds donated to St Vincent de Paul. It is a small-scale enterprise with a clear purpose: to teach students that practical acts of service, whether a cake stall, a donation or a visit, can make a real difference for people doing it tough.
Read: Sherwood Guides Receive Facility Upgrade Grant
Across Brisbane, these coordinated efforts by BCE schools and staff demonstrate a focus on community and generosity. In the lead-up to Christmas, hampers are packed, trees become donation points and children practise giving — all simple actions that together send a message of care and solidarity.
Published 12-December-2025
