28 August 2025
During the months of August and September, Hawkes House parents and their sons are coming together in a spirit of service, compassion and teamwork to prepare and serve dinners at Ronald McDonald House. This initiative reflects one of St Peter’s College’s core values – Service – by giving time and energy to support families who are going through some of life’s most difficult challenges.
The evenings are a true collaboration. Parents are taking the lead in thoughtfully planning a balanced, comforting three-course menu that will appeal to both children and adults staying at the House. They are sourcing fresh, quality ingredients, coordinating the shopping, and arriving ready to roll up their sleeves. In the kitchen, parents and boys are working side by side, turning their menu into a delicious reality. The teams are preparing hearty mains, fresh sides, and tempting desserts, ensuring that guests not only enjoy a nourishing meal but also feel cared for in the process.
For the boys, the experience is more than just a cooking exercise. It is an opportunity to step outside their usual routines and focus on the needs of others. Many have reflected on how eye-opening it is to meet and serve families whose children are undergoing treatment in nearby hospitals. The act of cooking and serving dinner becomes a tangible way to show empathy and kindness – values that are deeply embedded in the ethos of St Peter’s College.
Parents also find the experience rewarding, not only for the chance to give back to the community but for the quality time spent with their sons. Working together toward a common goal strengthens relationships, sparks conversations, and creates lasting memories. It is a reminder that service is most powerful when it is shared, and that the bonds formed through acts of kindness benefit both the giver and the receiver.
The presence of Hawkes House families during August and September is bringing warmth and hospitality to the House, and the smiles and gratitude from guests are a testament to the difference their efforts make.
The Service value of St Peter’s College is about more than fulfilling a requirement – it is about living out a commitment to help others and to build a more compassionate world. The Hawkes House initiative across these months is a perfect example of this in action, and it stands as a proud moment for our community.
Ms Nahla Baroudi
Head of Hawkes House
