08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
Peace for Polina: Mayfield students help Ukrainian girl with animal mission
STUDENTS at Mayfield East Public School have rallied together to raise funds to support the work of an 11-year-old girl in Ukraine.
Polina, who lives in Kiev, is helping animals displaced from their families by the war and is the subject of a documentary by local Newcastle filmmakers Shane and Agnes Burrell.
The film explores Polina's fierce ambition to become a vet despite what war has thrown at her and her family.
Having come across the documentary in their recent studies, Mayfield East Public School teacher Jacq Kimbell said the students in the enrichment group were instantly moved by Polina's mission.
"Polina's trials, her work with animals, and her fierce ambition to become a vet despite what the war has thrown at her and her family was enough to spur the students into organising a fundraising day for them," she said.
The group has been working with Shane and Agnes Burrell to get a personal insight into Polina's life.
"It's added a whole new and very real dimension to their studies," Ms Kimbell said.
They held a fundraiser on Friday, July 4 and incorporated Polina's story through Wakakirri, a national festival for schools to share stories through dance to make changes for the better.
The group raised $3000 for Polina. Students from all years arranged stalls to run during the day, with baked goods, arts, crafts, face-painting and other activities available.
Several businesses also made generous donations.
STUDENTS at Mayfield East Public School have rallied together to raise funds to support the work of an 11-year-old girl in Ukraine.
Polina, who lives in Kiev, is helping animals displaced from their families by the war and is the subject of a documentary by local Newcastle filmmakers Shane and Agnes Burrell.
The film explores Polina's fierce ambition to become a vet despite what war has thrown at her and her family.
Having come across the documentary in their recent studies, Mayfield East Public School teacher Jacq Kimbell said the students in the enrichment group were instantly moved by Polina's mission.
"Polina's trials, her work with animals, and her fierce ambition to become a vet despite what the war has thrown at her and her family was enough to spur the students into organising a fundraising day for them," she said.
The group has been working with Shane and Agnes Burrell to get a personal insight into Polina's life.
"It's added a whole new and very real dimension to their studies," Ms Kimbell said.
They held a fundraiser on Friday, July 4 and incorporated Polina's story through Wakakirri, a national festival for schools to share stories through dance to make changes for the better.
The group raised $3000 for Polina. Students from all years arranged stalls to run during the day, with baked goods, arts, crafts, face-painting and other activities available.
Several businesses also made generous donations.
STUDENTS at Mayfield East Public School have rallied together to raise funds to support the work of an 11-year-old girl in Ukraine.
Polina, who lives in Kiev, is helping animals displaced from their families by the war and is the subject of a documentary by local Newcastle filmmakers Shane and Agnes Burrell.
The film explores Polina's fierce ambition to become a vet despite what war has thrown at her and her family.
Having come across the documentary in their recent studies, Mayfield East Public School teacher Jacq Kimbell said the students in the enrichment group were instantly moved by Polina's mission.
"Polina's trials, her work with animals, and her fierce ambition to become a vet despite what the war has thrown at her and her family was enough to spur the students into organising a fundraising day for them," she said.
The group has been working with Shane and Agnes Burrell to get a personal insight into Polina's life.
"It's added a whole new and very real dimension to their studies," Ms Kimbell said.
They held a fundraiser on Friday, July 4 and incorporated Polina's story through Wakakirri, a national festival for schools to share stories through dance to make changes for the better.
The group raised $3000 for Polina. Students from all years arranged stalls to run during the day, with baked goods, arts, crafts, face-painting and other activities available.
Several businesses also made generous donations.
STUDENTS at Mayfield East Public School have rallied together to raise funds to support the work of an 11-year-old girl in Ukraine.
Polina, who lives in Kiev, is helping animals displaced from their families by the war and is the subject of a documentary by local Newcastle filmmakers Shane and Agnes Burrell.
The film explores Polina's fierce ambition to become a vet despite what war has thrown at her and her family.
Having come across the documentary in their recent studies, Mayfield East Public School teacher Jacq Kimbell said the students in the enrichment group were instantly moved by Polina's mission.
"Polina's trials, her work with animals, and her fierce ambition to become a vet despite what the war has thrown at her and her family was enough to spur the students into organising a fundraising day for them," she said.
The group has been working with Shane and Agnes Burrell to get a personal insight into Polina's life.
"It's added a whole new and very real dimension to their studies," Ms Kimbell said.
They held a fundraiser on Friday, July 4 and incorporated Polina's story through Wakakirri, a national festival for schools to share stories through dance to make changes for the better.
The group raised $3000 for Polina. Students from all years arranged stalls to run during the day, with baked goods, arts, crafts, face-painting and other activities available.
Several businesses also made generous donations.
