Thirty support bags were put together for for school-aged children and donated to charity Berry Street.

Each bag includes educational resources, an inspirational letter from a student and wooden toys made in St Patrick’s College classes. 

The handover of the bags was celebrated with a morning tea on October 16. 

Supplies were purchased following a family violence awareness day held at Loreto, which raised $900 for Berry Street and the White Ribbon Foundation. 

Berry Street teacher Monica Solomon said the donation would help students missing out on education. 

“What we’re working with is kids that have fled a family violence crisis situation, and they’ve come into a refuge,” Ms Solomon said. 

“Receiving these bags will be essential for the kid’s state of mind, refocusing their attention to something that isn’t family violence-related and giving them a sense of themselves again.”

Loreto College VCAL student Daisy Kennington said the idea came from classes discussing family violence. 

“We looked into how much of an issue it was in Ballarat and we found out that a lot of kids are taken out of their homes,” Miss Kennington said. “Family violence is really affecting their education.”

“We might not think it’s much, but it’s rewarding knowing these kids who may not have support from their families still get something and feel special,” she said. 

Thirty five students were involved in creating the bags, the first collaboration between Loreto and St Patrick’s College VCAL students. 

St Patrick’s College student Adam Svaljek, who made a wooden pencilbox, said he wanted to make something practical and unique.

“I thought I’d make something that every child would use and wouldn’t just sit somewhere in their room,” Mr Svaljek said. 

“Not every kid has a built family or structured community around them. 

“Kids my own age can’t just go home and speak to their mum or dad, and that’s really sad to see,” he said.