Thank you … and you … and you

Parents and carers and their children who have helped out at Parents & Friends’ events and fundraising initiatives this year have been officially acknowledged by the school council.

School Council president Kate Copping has written to the group to pass on the appreciation of the school for the work of all the “crafters, bakers and sellers” who have helped raise money for the school, such as this year’s Fathers Day stall which raised an astonishing $2500.

So to all those who have helped with P&F events, whether it be end-of-term lunches, stalls or the regular market stall, THANK YOU!

Kicking goals: the 2017 Footy Day lunch

The P&F end-of-term Footy Day lunch was almost as successful as a Richmond Tigers’ merchandise sale, with almost 400 pies and party pies going out the door this year.

In a very slick effort, Meredith Dimsey, Jackie Hanson, Paul Sutton,  Jenny Dun, Michelle Lorier and Mike Bruce were the Coburg North Mosquito Fleet that heated and dispatched food with remarkable efficiency.

Special thanks for Michelle Lorier, Tamara Heath and Sarah Ryan for preparing a metric tonne of honey-joys which were a huge hit with the children.

The lunch raised $1000 to go towards school projects. Thanks to all the parents and carers who ordered lunch for their kids.

Father’s Day Stall, September 1

Thank you to all the crafters, bakers and candlestick makers who provided wares for the stall, as well as the many volunteers who turned up on the day to help out.

Raising more than $2500 for the school, the 2017 Father’s Day stall was the most successful yet, due in no small part to the human dynamos, Amanda Gordon-Lee and Kirrily Noonan, who corralled and co-ordinated all the crafters and bakers and goods for the day. Well done everyone!

Vale friend and member Liz Collins

The Parents & Friends group lost a dear friend with the passing of Liz Collins in August. Liz came to the school in 2016 and immediately made an impact with her infectious enthusiasm and energy in the school community, but particularly in the Parents & Friends group where she was a regular volunteer and a crafter of boundless energy.

Liz, 38, was a powerhouse in the crafting group that supplies so many of the handmade items for the Mothers’ and Fathers’ day stalls.

Co-ordinator Mandy Gordon-Lee said Liz’s huge creative output and energy inspired the group to produce more crafts than ever before.

“The craft group will not be the same without her but are blessed to have been a part of her life,” Mandy said.

Liz was a shining soul, positive and quick-witted, who combined creativity with practicality, gentleness with passion and sensitivity with honesty.

She is greatly missed not only by the group but by many in the school community.

A barrel of funds

Parents & Friends enjoyed a great year in 2017. Events and fundraising initiatives organised and facilitated by the group raised almost $38,000, not including the MakeNoise Festival which generated another $10,700.

Once again the Farmers’ Market was the standout, generating almost $18,000, while special lunches raised more than $4500. Various craft stalls raised an astonishing $8200, while the addition of children’s artwork calendars made almost $2000. Fundraising outcomes like this would not be possible without the huge contribution of volunteers from across the school. Thanks to everyone who gave time and/or resources to the effort in 2017.

The market was by far the biggest source of funds in 2017.

Some of the funds went towards a combination of books, goalpost pads, water tanks, extra lighting and the Connect Camp. Ongoing fundraising will be directed towards the new playground as part of the school rebuild.

School’s cool Yule rules

Thanks to all the crafters and bakers who contributed goods for the annual Parents & Friends Christmas stall. This year’s stall made more than $2000 to go towards school projects. 

(GERMANY OUT) Teig und Ausstechformen zum Backen von Plätzchen und Keksen für Weihnachten. Vorfreude im Advent. (Photo by Wodicka/ullstein bild via Getty Images)

A big thank you also to the volunteers who turned up on the day to help the kids with their purchases. A big hit this year were the personalised, painted baubles created by Kate Copping, Jenny Dun and Justine Poplin. 

Barbecue August 12: Erika’s last “stand”

After two years of 6am starts on a Saturday to make pancake mix and prepare the Farmers’ Market barbecue, Erika Vella has called it a day.

Erika co-ordinated the school’s stall at the market on the second Saturday each month, relaxed, unfazed and always with a smile. Erika did her final shift on Saturday, August 12. Thanks Erika for all your work.

Thanks to the parents of 2B who turned out to help. Thanks of Lewis with Charlie, David and Chrisha with Sophia, Kate with Ted, Ben with Greyson, Liz with Emma and Dan, Shaun with Jackson, Mehrnaz with Artin, Siham with Noah, Anicca, Angela with Jing and Tamara and Paul with Ada, Camille and Clea, as well as grandparents Janet and Don.

Volunteer numbers in 2017 have been great, so thanks to all in the school community, Your help is, as always, greatly appreciated.

Like a big pizza pie, that’s Carnevale

This year’s end-of-term Carnevale lunch was another great success, raising more than $1870 for the school. A huge thanks must go to La Generalissima, Michelle Lorier, who manages to work as a chef, care for two girls and carry much of the load for these lunches which come round all too frequently. Michelle not only plans the menus, but does much of the food preparation and cooking.

The sublime Miinot Gelato, in Pascoe Vale South, also kindly offered their services and
equipment to help make the gelato.

Thanks also to the man volunteers who helped with prep and serving: Jackie Hanson, Meredith Dimsey, Liz Pye, Paul Sutton, Jane Holroyd, Tamara Heath, Lyn Beale, Ruzi Duric, Amanda Tabone and Michelle’s mother-in- law. Grazie tante!

Jane Holroyd showcasing her stirring skills.

Meredith Dimsey: that’s how she rolls.

Mother’s Day stall sets a record

The 2017 Mother’s Day stall would appear to have been the school’s most successful yet, raising a record $2600.

So, thank you to all the crafters, bakers and candlestick makers who provided wares for the stall, as well as the many volunteers who turned up on the day to help out.

A particular shout-out must go to Amanda Gordon-Lee and Kirrily Noonan for organising and coordinating what is a mammoth task of organising, mustering and estimating the number of products required.

The growth in the school roll made the number of items for this year’s stall particularly difficult to estimate.

The Saturday Mother’s Day craft stall was also a huge success, attracting 16 stallholders who raised another $640 for the school.

Farmers’ Markets, April 22 and May 13

Some overdue thanks to the parents and carers of Foundation B and C who turned out for the last two Coburg Farmers’ markets.

Thank you to Nicola Andrews with Jack, Shaun with Louis, Gavin with Zoe, Leah with Dylan, Paul Cavicchiolo with Eva, Fiona with Jackson, Kelly with Luca, Sana with Fazil, Liz with Archie and Georgie Murphy. Thanks also to Jackie Hanson, Mike Bruce with Billy and Matt Abbott who turned up to breach the gaps on the Anzac Day weekend.

Billy, of the Tigers, and Archie, of the Cats, helping out at the gate with Liz.

A special congratulations to the parents/carers of Foundation C who set a record for the market of May 13, namely, that we had enough volunteers to not have to put out a call for more helpers. So … well done!

Thank you to Jeff with Ernie, Luke with Noah, Ravi with Shruthika, Mary with Gemma, Sarah with Ned, VIcki with Essien, Debbie and Dave with Georgia, Richard and Rachel with son Josh, Mitzi with Frida, Dallas with Quinn and Adriana with Frieda.

Thank you all. The next market is this Saturday, May 27, when Foundation D is up.