Harper boys become a slick hospitality team
07 May 2021
They were waiters, coat check attendants, guides, and assistants helping plate up meals – nearly 30 Harper House boys had a taste of hosting and hospitality last weekend acting as staff at the Child Cancer Foundation Southern Lights gala dinner.
Working in a 5-6hr shift, their support tasks ranged from greeting the guests as they arrived at the event, to checking in their coats, handing around food, selling raffle tickets, and waiting on tables.
They learnt that hospitality is hard work, but really enjoyable, says Harper Housemaster Matt Cortesi.
But the Year 9–13 boys gave up time to provide their service to the foundation, which was adopted as the House charity six years ago.
Matt told the dinner that it was in 2016 Year 9 Harper student Jonty Gray was diagnosed with leukemia, at the very time older brother Angus was Head Prefect.
“It was Gus’s suggestion that we pair with the CCF, and because of young Jonty that we began our association with the foundation.”
Matt said the relationship also gave back to Harper House.
“The community service opportunities the relationship offers us helps foster in our boys an awareness of the needs of others, and builds on the character strengths of social intelligence and perspective.
“It helps build a disposition to serve and gives the boys an opportunity to show how they can think of others before themselves. These are important outcomes of the College graduate vision we have here at school.”
