Fundraising to purchase a coffee machine may seem trivial to many.
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But not to the Corrimal High School students who lost a “safe place” when Saturday’s fire destroyed the school’s industrial arts building.
The building not only housed vital educational equipment and resources but a coffee machine purchased by teachers, though used by staff and students alike.
Incoming school captain Chiahni Zulian and her vice-captain Tameryn Burchell said the coffee machine held a sentimental place in students’ hearts.
“It might sound like a small thing to raise money for but it was really sentimental to us. It was more like a safe place,” Chiahni said.
Fellow year 12 student Tameryn said the coffee machine was symbolic of how supportive the IA teachers have been to students.
“If we were ever down or needed to have a chat, teachers would say come on in and have a coffee. It was great to have a safe space where we could just chat and have a cup of coffee,” the 17-year-old said.
That’s why Tameryn, Chiahni and the rest of the school’s student representative council are urging the community to support a GoFundMe page set up by Corrimal HS head of STEM, Andrew Laidler.
At time of publication, $2088 had already been pledged.
The Corrimal High School/ A Fire Fund page hopes to raise $2500.
The Industrial arts staff at Corrimal HS lost everything they had spent many years creating for the benefit of their students.
Amongst their treasures was a coffee machine which many staff and students appreciated as they shared coffee and a chat.
The staff had originally purchased the machine with their own money.
“It is the least we can do,”Tameryn said.
“Raising funds is our way of saying thank you to the teachers. We appreciate everything they do for us.
“I was heartbroken when I heard about the fire, and I’m still upset. But, we need to move on, and this can only help.”
Chiahni added some students had come together to help each other out during this difficult time.
“We are putting a smile on our face and really encouraging each other to raise money for the coffee machine,” she said.
“We’ve been overwhelmed by the support the school has already received from the community.
“And, just today Bellambi Public School has agreed to take in our students from Wednesday. We are very grateful.”
Corrimal HS students in Years 7 to 11 will attend classes at Bellambi Public School from Wednesday this week while Police and Fire+Rescue NSW continue to investigate and monitor the fire to the school’s Industrial Arts building.
This arrangement is expected to continue until at least this Friday.
This information and more is available on the school’s Facebook page.
Meantime, the Department of Education also stated counselling services will continue to be available for students and staff.
Temporary Industrial Arts buildings have been sourced and more information about when they will be delivered to the school will be available in the next week.
Year 12 students will also continue to undertake HSC exams at Woonona High School.