Cold water, warm hearts: SRC's Ice Plunge raises over $10,000 for Jesuit Mission

Every $250 raised sent another staff-and-student pair or group down the slide and into the icy depths, each one dressed to a theme and dropping to a matching soundtrack. The lineup delivered: Sharpay and Ryan bopped to Bop to the Top, Pokémon took the plunge to the Pokémon theme, the cast of The Hangover went down laughing, Elphaba and Glinda committed fully to Defying Gravity, the Cat in the Hat crashed in to Wipe Out, Mario Kart racers sped off the edge, Shrek slid down to All Star, surfers caught the Misirlou wave, and Kung Fu Pandas dropped in to Kung Fu Fighting.

As the tally climbed, the surprises got bigger. Mr Smith went full Sister Act, sliding as a nun to Ain't No Mountain High Enough. Then it was West Australian swimming star Zac Incerti's turn, taking the plunge in swimmers to Down Under. A two-time Olympian, Incerti won bronze medals in freestyle relays at both the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Games, along with three gold medals at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. The 2026 College Captains, joined by Mr Bostelman, dressed as Fremantle Dockers ‘Warfie’ legends and plunged to Hell's Bells. Once the total ticked past the $10,000 mark, the milestone set weeks earlier, Principal Mr Mahon made good on the promise and took the plunge himself.

Why the SRC does this

The Ice Plunge Challenge is entirely SRC-led, from planning through to persuading their Principal to get in the water. The initiative is a clear, hands-on expression of what the College asks of its students: to be young people of competence, conscience and compassion, and to live out the College motto, Seek Justice, as people for others. Getting cold and wet in a Shrek costume for a cause that will never benefit you directly is exactly that, just with better music.

Where the money goes

Funds raised support Jesuit Mission's education programs in Hazaribag, where the organisation works to give children access to classrooms, teachers and the chance of an education many currently lack. Every dollar makes a concrete impact:

• $20 provides a month of learning materials for 100 students
• $100 covers a full year of school for one child
• $225 covers one teacher's wage for a month

The College's goal was $15,000. With over $10,000 already raised, the SRC is asking our community to help close the gap. Donations over $2 are tax-deductible and can be made via the Jesuit Mission fundraising page.

Thank you to every staff member and student who took the plunge, and to everyone who has donated so far. It was a fitting, freezing way for the SRC to finish their final term.