The school community at Ruimsig Montessori International School and Cottage Montessori School Featherbrooke Estate have collected more than 100 Santa Shoeboxes during their first X-Mas in July campaign, with donations set to benefit orphaned and underprivileged children through the Santa Shoebox Project.

The initiative, held on Wednesday, July 29, formed part of the schools’ Putting Others First programme, which supports a different community cause each term. Learners, parents and staff donated completed shoeboxes and monetary contributions, which will be used to purchase additional items before the donations are pledged when the Santa Shoebox Project opens its annual campaign in September.

Lower Secondary Lead Janette Seton-Rogers said the project was a natural fit for the schools’ Montessori philosophy.

“Giving back to the community is an important part of our Montessori ethos. Through our initiative, we support an organisation or project each term that addresses a need within our community,” she said.

She said the Santa Shoebox Project was chosen because it provides learners with a practical way to support children in need.
“We understand how a thoughtful gift can bring joy, hope and a sense of belonging to a child in need.”

The campaign involved learners from pre-primary through to high school across both campuses and marked the first time the schools had participated in the initiative.

“We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of our school communities. Many learners donated more than one box, while others made monetary contributions. Based on our current collections, we expect to donate well over 100 Santa Shoeboxes,” Janette said.

Each shoebox contains eight essential items, including toiletries, clothing, school supplies, sweets and a toy, in accordance with the Santa Shoebox Project’s guidelines.

Janette said involving learners in selecting and packing the items encouraged gratitude and compassion.

“What may appear ordinary to one child may be a valued or even scarce item for another. The process helps learners develop gratitude and a deeper understanding of thoughtful, purposeful giving,” she said.

The schools will sort, complete and quality-check the donations before formally pledging them in September. The completed shoe boxes will then be handed over to Santa Shoebox Project representatives in October.

She said the schools hope the successful campaign becomes an annual tradition and encouraged the community to support charitable initiatives wherever possible, adding that small acts of kindness can have a lasting collective impact when people work together.