Jeans for Genes is a fundraising organisation that supports Australian children with birth defects or genetic diseases by raising funds for the Children's Medical Research Institute (CMRI) to conduct research into preventing and managing these diseases. 

This year, two out of the five faces for Jeans for Genes 2022 had significant connections to Wollemi College. Emmanuel, brother to George in Year 5, was diagnosed as a newborn with Ornithine Transcarbamylase Deficiency (OTC), and Sophia, the granddaughter of Mr Burfitt, was diagnosed at the age of one with Germ Cell Tumour Cancer. To support these families and those with similar circumstances, Wollemi decided to hold a big fundraising event for Jeans for Genes, and invited the Hanna and Burfitt families to attend! This included:

• A Bake-it-Blue cake stall during recess and lunch, organised by Wollemi parents
• Gold coin donation Wear-it-Blue mufti day
• Primary Assembly

The Primary assembly featured:

• A community prayer led to George
• Monique Cowper (Communications & Media Manager of the CMRI)
• A presentation about genetic research by Dr Kate Mullany (scientist and paediatrician at the Children’s Hospital)
• Q&A with students and Dr Kate
• Awarding of the Wollemi Hat to Sophia and Emmanuel

Both Emmanuel and Sophia have since hit their fundraising goals! This meant that all proceedings resulted in extra funds for the CMRI to continue their amazing research. After a lot of blue cupcakes were consumed (and a lot of blue tongues as a result) our guests joined us for lunch.

This term, the College has been focusing on building and maintaining a Community of Civility. We are encouraging our students to be:

• Supportive of each other
• Respectful to peers and staff
• Inclusive in the playground
• Patient with each other
• Willing to listen to others
• Caring for the environment 
• Treating others as they would like to be treated.

What better way to do this than through meaningful fundraising like supporting Jeans for Genes? Thank you to all the staff, students and parents involved in making the day a huge success. Special thanks go to Monique, Dr Kate, and the Hanna and Burfitt families for being Wollemi's honoured guests for the day.