New Hope School is a caring Christian school community, catering for students with a moderate level of intellectual delay or who have an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Each student is unique and we aim to develop their full potential by providing a mixture of individualised and small group instruction with support. We currently have twenty students enrolled at New Hope School, ranging from Year 3 to Year 12. The students are grouped into three classes – a senior class with students from Year 10 to Year 12, and two classes with students from Year 3 to Year 8.
From time to time, our students have the opportunity to participate in school-based vocational activities, which includes fundraising projects. These projects support our vision to provide both work experience and everyday life and learning skills to our students, whilst raising funds to support various mission and service focuses of the school community.
Most recently, we operated the HPE Smoothies & Milkshakes store, directly from our classroom window. This project allowed our senior students (and middle school students at times), the opportunity to brainstorm ideas and strategies needed in operating a successful business venture. With support from their teachers, the students planned and prepared advertising posters and promotional videos, communicated information to staff and students and operated the store during lunchtime throughout Term 3.
From order taking and money handling to preparing and serving drinks and even a door-to-door delivery service, the students excelled in making the fundraiser a success. The store operated during six lunchtimes over a four-week period. Students prepared the pre-ordered drinks for staff ready for delivery at lunchtime, and then opened for the students of Pacific Hills and New Hope during lunchtime. Overall, we made more than 340 smoothies and milkshakes, and generated a profit of more than $740.
With this exceptional result, we were able to sponsor a child living in poverty through Compassion – Bryan, a 13-year-old boy from El Salvador. The staff and students of New Hope School helped celebrate his birthday on the 11th of September, enjoying cupcakes and some photo opportunities. We look forward to the ongoing relationship that has started with Bryan, and hope to send through our photos, letters, drawings and Bible verses to encourage him on his journey. Please join us in praying for Bryan and his family, and for the work of Compassion in El Salvador.
