By Louise Kwok
Zoom raffles and Kahoot quizzes are some of the quirky activities staff have enjoyed at the Catholic Education Office in Rockhampton recently, raising $500 to date to assist Palms participant Liz O’Sullivan in her teacher mentoring work in remote northern Thailand.
CEO staff hope to raise $1000 during Term 2 and are over halfway to achieving their target.
Assistant Director: Mission for Catholic Education in the Diocese of Rockhampton Di-Anne Rowan said every second Friday afternoon staff finished the week on a fun note Zooming in to participate in a themed quiz using the Kahoot platform and witness the virtual wheel spin to determine prize winners in the raffle.
“Raffles is a time-honoured tradition at the office where a different section takes on the responsibility each term of sourcing prizes, selling tickets to staff and running the Friday afternoon draw to raise funds for a chosen charity or social justice cause,” Di-Anne said.
“Liz worked as one of our teachers at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Bundaberg and we nominated funds raised this term to go towards assisting her in the inspirational work she is doing helping Thai teachers in such a remote community,” Di-Anne said.
Liz began her mentoring role with Palms in late January 2020 to assist local Thai and Karen teachers at Khlotor and Umphang Public Schools in developing English proficiency and global citizenship awareness through teaching and specific outdoor activities.
“With the onset of restrictions on staff gatherings due to the coronavirus, we had to get a little creative with staging our Friday afternoon raffles. Our staff have been wonderfully supportive in participating and contributing and I’m confident we will reach our target,” Di-Anne said.
To make a donation to support Liz’s placement, click here.
If you want to join in the fun, you can host your own fundraiser and help make overseas placements like Liz’s possible. Simply contact Louise at [email protected] to talk about your fundraiser and receive a digital fundraising guide. WHY NOT SPEAK TO LIZ DIRECTLY ON AUGUST 30?
Liz O’Sullivan – English Teacher & Mentor
Palms recruited, prepared and sent qualified and experienced English teacher, Liz O’Sullivan, from Bundaberg, Queensland to join Fr. Rey and the staff at Khlotor Public School, some 40 minutes from the Nu Po refugee camp in the mountains on the Thai-Burma border. Since January 2020 Liz has been assisting local Thai and Karen teachers to develop the English program. By mentoring local teachers Thai as well as Karen children from this remote district will benefit long after Liz completes her assignment.
To read more about Liz’s role and experience in Umphang, visit: