Hair is an integral part of someone’s identity.
That is what makes Cobram Anglican Grammar School Year 12 students Caitlin Welch and Brayden St John’s actions on Tuesday, October 17 so impactful.
The two students cut their hair in front of staff and students to raise money for the Kids with Cancer Foundation Australia.
Caitlin’s hair was cut first, and she plans to use the offcuts to make a wig for a child with cancer.
Often, cancer patients lose their hair as a side effect of treatment, and wearing wigs gives them more privacy and a sense of normality.
Brayden cut his hair to raise cancer awareness and said he was inspired by a student at his old school who cut his hair every year.
Though Brayden hasn’t personally been affected by cancer, he nonetheless said there needed to be more awareness of the often deadly disease.
“You see things all the time online with just how cancer affects people, so I thought I’d just raise awareness in the school,” Brayden said.
Brayden joked that cutting his hair would raise awareness and make his mother happy.
“My mum hated my long hair. So she’s happy it’s short,” he said.
Besides the haircutting, junior students also baked treats to sell during recess.
For principal Keith Willett, the initiative was another example of the community-minded focus the school students often showed.
“It’s fantastic that Brayden and Caitlin have been happy to put themselves forward and do this in recognition and support of the Cancer Council appeal,” he said.
“They’re great young people, and it’s just a perfect demonstration of their citizenship and care for other people.”
Mr Willett also raved about the baked treats and said the students put a lot of hard work into them.
“The cupcakes are delicious,” Mr Willett said.
“The making and baking of the cupcakes is an idea of a little group of Year 5 and 6 girls, and they baked them all yesterday. Well over 200 cupcakes.”