Post by Toowoomba Christian College

YEAR 12 NIGHTINGALE WEEK | At TCC, we want our graduates to step into the world with open eyes to the needs around them, ready to serve with compassion and purpose. Nightingale Week is one of four milestone events leading to graduation and invites Year 12 students to reflect on the legacy of Florence Nightingale, a woman who recognised suffering and responded with courage, care and conviction. The week began with a stirring address from motivational speaker, and TCC alumnus, Az Hamilton. Through powerful storytelling and real-life experiences, both overseas and within Australian communities, Az captivated and inspired students. His message challenged them to live lives shaped by purpose and passion, encouraging them to look beyond themselves and their immediate world. That evening, students heard from representatives of St Vincent de Paul and Rosies Friends On The Street and shared a simple soup-kitchen-style dinner together. This was followed by the humbling experience of sleeping in cardboard boxes at school overnight. This symbolic act of “sleeping rough” was designed to raise awareness and build empathy for those experiencing homelessness. Building on this foundation, students then served across a range of community settings, including Toowoomba West Special School, St Vincent de Paul Society, Rosies Kitchen, Salem Aged Care and Brodribb Residential Aged Care. These hands-on experiences invited students to witness the everyday realities faced by others and to consider how their own gifts, time and energy might be used in service of the common good. Nightingale Week was more than a camp. It was a formative experience that reminded students that when young people are given opportunities to serve, listen and reflect, they continue to grow into empathetic and thoughtful leaders, equipped to contribute meaningfully to their communities.