R U OK? Day fundraiser brings Connection, Fun and Community Spirit
The R U Ok? day fundraiser at MGHS was held on Friday 11th September 2026.
This year, Amelia, Alysha, and Hser Nay, decided to try something different and incorporate the event into their Social Action project for Society and Culture class.
The Year 12 students, banded together to raise awareness on an issue that impacts society, while encouraging participation and student engagement.
The three students had previously no social connections to each other, and were required to develop and execute an engaging and community focused plan on a timeframe.
“We were trying to think of something really fun that students could get involved in,” said Amelia.
“Because we would raise more awareness and funds for a good cause.”
With R U Ok? Day coming up, the students thought of an idea to tie in nicely with the already planned events.
Each year in September, the Wellbeing Team hosts a special day featuring a cupcake and baked goods stall, staff versus student volleyball game, and a sausage sizzle generously provided by the Rapid Relief Team.
“We decided on a teacher/educator soak activity, with funds raised to go toward R U OK Day,” said Amelia.
“We went with this idea because we knew it would be appealing to all students,” she said.
“I mean, who doesn’t want to throw a wet sponge at the Deputy Principal?”
All students were then proactive in gaining support for their project.
“After deciding what we want to do, we went out to our teaching team and asked for volunteers,” Alysha said.
“We immediately received acceptance from 6 educators, we then approached another 2 educators and asked them to give their time for R U OK? Day.”
“It was really supportive to have so many volunteers get involved.”
The teachers and educators included The teachers and educators included Kathryn Sutton, Skye Biddle, Aengus Drake-Harris, Brad Tye, Matthew Key, Chloe Fry, Chris Jordan and Kerran Wingard.
To encourage attendance, the students developed flyers advertising the event and how to get involved.
“We approached the Promotions Manager for help with a flyer, and put them up around the school,” said Alysha.
“The feedback was really supportive, and people were talking about getting involved and which teachers they intended to hit.”
On the day the team of 4 (with a keen supporter in fellow student Ben) managed the entire fundraiser and worked with their teachers to manage the lines, take donations, encourage involvement, and engaging with their peers.
The students were excited to see a great sense of enjoyment, and collaboration among the entire school.
“The crowds were bigger than we could have imagined,” said Alysha.
“The students were keen to get involved and try their luck at the target throwing.”
With the initial game starting at $1.00 for a throw, the stakes grew with students then asking if they could dump a whole bucket of water on their favourite educator.
“The students offered to pay us $10.00 for a bucket,” said Alysha.
“This increased our donations tremendously because more and more students got involved.”
There were benefits that the students did not anticipate and the contribution towards the school cohort was evident.
“I saw a lot of shyer kids coming out and getting involved.” said Amelia.
“They came out of their shell, which was great to see,” agreed Alisha.
Overall the feedback from the participants was very positive.
“Many students asked to do it again, saying it was the greatest Friday ever,” said Amelia.
“We’ve learnt that poking a bit of fun at teachers gets students involved,” said Alysha.
“It’s a great way to raise awareness and build positive relationships with our teachers.”
The event gave the students an opportunity to see that their educators weren’t as scary or as serious as they thought.
“They let their guard down, and had fun,” said Alysha, “It was great to see.”
Overall ‘Target the Teacher, Soak the SSO’ fundraiser was a great success and contributed over $280 towards R U OK Day 2026.
Every year MGHS raises awareness for R U OK Day and holds events for the students to participate in, but this was the first time a student cohort had taken the lead and organised something beneficial and wildly successful.
“We’d do it again in a heartbeat,” said Hser Nay,
“We raised so much money and it was so much fun.”
Society and Culture Teacher, Kathryn Sutton, is immensely proud of their efforts and positive example for their cohort
“It was amazing to see the collaboration and innovation from these students,” she said.
“Their creativity commitment and drive has been very impressive, and they have demonstrated excellent leadership skills for the entire school.”
“Witnessing the students collaborate as a group despite not having a previous social relationship working together was really inspiring, and they showed excellent leadership and real world skills.”
