Brendan Gunning
Brendan Gunning, Assistant Principal at St. Patrick's College in Mackay, discusses the school's partnership with Orange Sky's Brekkie Van program.
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"Our four values at St Patrick's College are compassion, hope, justice and respect. And we have a real strong focus on service in the community. So to partnership up with Orange Sky and run the Brekkie van is a great opportunity for our students to practice those values in the community."
"It's really a service to our community. It's really a service to our friends in the community that are less fortunate than ourselves. Opportunity for conversation is our big thing."
"We never have any problems filling shifts. It's almost like the students are jumping over each other to get down here in the morning. And often one of the problems we have is more students than we have students. And we actually need, but that's a great problem to have."
"I always sort of joke this is the highlight of my day. It's downhill after I leave the brekkie van. But I like to model the expectations. And if the kids see us down here rather than just asking them to come down, I think that's important."
Serving Up More Than Breakfast: St. Patrick's College and Orange Sky's Powerful Partnership
In the heart of Mackay, a remarkable collaboration between St. Patrick's College and Orange Sky is making waves in the community. Assistant Principal Brendan Gunning recently shared insights into this partnership, revealing how it's shaping students' perspectives and reinforcing the school's core values.
St. Patrick's College, a Catholic secondary school with about 1,500 students, prides itself on four key values: compassion, hope, justice, and respect. These values align perfectly with Orange Sky's mission, making the Brekkie Van program an ideal opportunity for students to put these principles into action.
"To partnership up with Orange Sky and run the Brekkie van is a great opportunity for our students to practice those values in the community," Gunning explains. This hands-on approach to community service has been met with overwhelming enthusiasm from the students. "We never have any problems filling shifts. It's almost like the students are jumping over each other to get down here in the morning," Gunning says with a smile.
But it's not just about serving breakfast. The program offers students a chance to engage in meaningful conversations with people they might not otherwise meet. This interaction is challenging perceptions and broadening horizons. As Gunning notes, "I think it really gives them a better understanding about a wide range of people in our community that they may not have already had."
The impact of this program extends beyond the students. Staff members, including Gunning himself, regularly participate in the Brekkie Van shifts. "I always sort of joke this is the highlight of my day," he shares. "But I like to model the expectations. And if the kids see us down here rather than just asking them to come down, I think that's important."
This commitment to leading by example is fostering a school-wide culture of community engagement and service. It's a win-win situation, benefiting not only the students and staff but also the broader Mackay community.
The partnership with Orange Sky has opened up new avenues for St. Patrick's College to fulfill its mission of community service. "Sometimes we're a bit limited with opportunities for our students to provide service and to get out into the community," Gunning explains. "And this has been a real win-win."
As the program continues to grow from strength to strength, it's clear that this partnership is serving up much more than just breakfast. It's nourishing the community, challenging perceptions, and helping to shape the next generation of compassionate, engaged citizens.
The success of this collaboration between St. Patrick's College and Orange Sky serves as an inspiring example of how schools and community organizations can work together to create meaningful change. It's a testament to the power of service, conversation, and connection in building stronger, more empathetic communities.
