Image 1: L-R Carter Marsh, Ryan Chatteris, Mr Alex Kertesz, Mr Andrew Wheaton, Mr Jamie Novosel, Mr Alex Barker, Noah Faa and Charlie Jackson
Image 2: Mrs Helle Smith. Photos supplied
mullets: Students and teachers lined up to participate in Mullets for Mental Health
In a true display of ‘school’s out for summer’ energy, four students and four staff members from Whitsunday Anglican School had their hair shaped into a mullet on the last day of school, all for a good cause.
Year 11 students Noah Faa, Charlie Jackson, Carter Marsh and Ryan Chatteris all decided to get mullets for Mullets For Mental Health, a cause raising funds and awareness for mental health research, and challenged the staff to get involved.
“I’m a bit of a barber myself and I was having a bit of banter with (Deputy Principal Jamie Novosel) saying, ‘You should let me give you a mullet,’” said Noah.
“Two terms later, at the end of the year, we’ve created a fundraiser, and unfortunately I’m not giving him a mullet, but at least he’s getting one.”
With the help of Amy and Tiffany from Moldielox Barber Shop, who donated their time and expertise, the four students, as well as Principal Andrew Wheaton, Deputy Principal Jamie Novosel and teachers Alex Kertesz and Alex Barker all started a party at the back, business at the front in front of a vocal crowd.
The boys raised over $7,000, surpassing their goal of $5,000, for a cause close to Noah’s heart.
“It’s something quite close to me and I know it’s probably something that’s skimmed over a lot and it’s something that’s very prominent, more than we can see,” he said.
Principal Andrew Wheaton said the occasion was a perfect opportunity to highlight mental health in a school setting.
“The ability to be able to talk about this and for our boys and girls to express their emotions is an issue we feel very strongly about and it’s great to see that our young men are taking up the baton in this very special cause,” he said.
One in five Australians experience symptoms of mental illness in any given year and roughly 60% of these people won’t seek help.
“Mental health is one thing that we’re very well attuned to for our young people who are moving through the pressures of their schooling,” said Mr Wheaton.
The previous week, Senior Mathematics Teacher Mrs Helle Smith shaved her head to raise funds for cancer with the help of her outgoing year 12 maths students.
Ms Smith raised close to $4,000 and said she hoped her fundraising will help many families that are affected by cancer.
Mrs Smith also believes in being a positive role model for her young students and to always be community minded, help wherever you can.
Visit the Whitsunday Anglican School’s Facebook page to donate to the causes.
