At Trinity Anglican School (TAS), service and fundraising are central to our mission of fostering empathy, leadership, and social responsibility among students.

Through student service projects, TAS encourages students to tackle real-world challenges, develop critical thinking skills, and act with purpose. Whether supporting environmental conservation, promoting social justice, or assisting vulnerable communities, our students make meaningful contributions while building essential life skills—teamwork, communication, resilience, and confidence.

A shining example of this is Summer, a Year 6 student whose passion for wildlife has grown into an inspiring fundraising initiative. Through her hobby business, Summer Spirit, Summer creates handmade candles, reed diffusers, keychains, and eco-friendly tote bags. A portion of every sale supports wildlife conservation and local charities, demonstrating how young people can lead impactful change.

In 2024, Summer raised over $2,500 for the Visionary Wildlife Warriors Program, placing in the top three fundraisers nationally and receiving a personal video message from the Irwin family. She also donated more than $600 worth of products to the Cairns Regional Domestic Violence Service.

Now partnering with The Agile Project Wildlife Rescue, Summer continues to support local wildlife initiatives. Her story shows how student leadership and community engagement at TAS create real-world impact.

In this Q&A, Summer shares how her passion evolved into purpose—and how TAS has supported her along the way.

Q: What inspired you to start Summer Spirit, and how did you choose the causes you support?

“I’ve always had a deep love and fascination for wildlife and wild places.  I discovered the Visionary Wildlife Warriors program—and how I could make a difference through fundraising. I quickly realised that I couldn’t keep asking my parents and friends for donations. So, I decided to combine my love for crafts with fundraising, and that’s how Summer Spirit was born.”

Q: What has been the most rewarding part of your fundraising journey so far?

“The greatest reward has been knowing I’m making a real difference. A highlight was being named a top finalist in the Australia Zoo Visionary Wildlife Warrior of the Year Awards and placing in the top three fundraisers in Australia. I even received a personalised video message from the Irwin’s!”

Q: Has TAS supported your service initiatives, and how?
“Yes— my teachers at TAS have been so encouraging. It’s given me more confidence to keep going and has helped me believe in what I’m doing.”

Q: What advice would you give to other students who want to start their own community service projects?
“Start with your passion. When you work on something meaningful to you, it doesn’t feel like a chore. Then, take the leap, that’s how you grow. Even the smallest steps can lead to something powerful.”

Q: How do you balance running Summer Spirit with school and other commitments, including your role as School Captain?
“It’s a juggle! Organisation is key—I plan, and I scale back during busy times like the hockey season, so I don’t burn out. I’m also lucky to have amazing parents who believe in me and help make it all happen.”

Q: What are your future goals for Summer Spirit and your service projects?
“This year, I’m especially excited to be fundraising for The Agile Project and organising a donation drive to collect supplies for them. I also completed their wildlife rescue program recently, which means I can now help rescue and care for animals myself. I want to keep combining creativity and action to make a real difference.”

Q: How do you hope your work with The Agile Project will make a difference?
“I hope my fundraising and awareness campaigns help more people understand how important our local wildlife is—and how we can all do something to help.”

At TAS, we are proud to support and celebrate young changemakers like Summer, proving that even small initiatives can have a lasting impact.