PFA News
Are you keen on the idea of a CPS Fete in 2024?
If so, can you help to bring it to life?
A school fete used to be an annual tradition at CPS. In more recent years, it has been held every second year. It is an incredible fundraiser for the school, and a lot of fun for students, families, and local community members!
But it does take a great deal of work to make it happen …
We really need a core group of 10 – 15 volunteers to form an organising ‘committee’.
This core group will be well supported by many dozens of helpers on Fete Day itself, who will sign up for 2 – 3 hour shifts in a variety of roles.
Some of the key activities of members of the core organising group include:
- Seeking sponsorship or donations of goods from local businesses
- Liaising with external ride and entertainment providers, and making associated logistical arrangements
- Planning what the food offerings will be, and arranging external providers and/or school community volunteers, obtaining necessary food permits and equipment
- Coordinating the school community to organise and deliver a range of fun fete activities, such as the kids’ corner (with face painting, henna and other activities for children), book stall, and dunk tank
- Undertaking risk management analysis and planning to comply with Department of Education requirements
- Planning and managing the community market stall area and stall holders
Volunteers can of course opt to get involved in an area in which they have experience, or a passion / interest.
What time commitment is required?
Core organisers will likely need to devote 1 – 2 hours per week (on average) over the next few months. In the weeks leading up to Fete Day this will likely increase; there may be 10 – 20 hours of effort required in the month immediately prior to the big day (depending on your role, the team structure etc.)
The good news is that most of this work can be done at any time, and from any location that suits you. There is no need to be on site during school hours (although if this is what suits your schedule then of course you can be!). Fete organisers in previous years have been a mixture of full time employees, part time employees, stay at home parents, and small business owners.
The other good news is that it has been done many times before, and is well documented, so you won’t be starting from scratch, nor doing it alone!
Please let us know by 31st October. Why the urgency?
If you are keen to get involved, we would love to hear from you! Please drop us a note at pfa@carnegieps.vic.edu.au by 31st October. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to PFA President, Sandra Michela, also on this email address, or on 0403 652 498.
We need to determine by early November whether we have sufficient people power to stage a fete, so we can lock in a date, and book in big ticket items like rides asap. Several of the key past fete organisers are from families that have finished at the school since the most recent Fetes were held, in 2019 and then 2022. So whilst we have lots of documented expertise, and enough people remaining to provide continuity and key insights, we definitely need more hands on deck if we are to go ahead with a Fete next year!
Referendum Day Cake Stall - thank you!
Thank you to the many families who baked some goodies for the recent cake stall, or gave their time to run the stall on the day. We raised over $1,400 for the school - a great result!
Thank you too to those of you who came along and supported us - we hope you enjoyed your delicious purchase.
Extra special thanks go to Liz Westrupp, Sandra Michela and Sian Holm for coordinating the cake stall this year.
Bakers who donated goodies can pick up their containers from the kitchen in the hall.
Swimming caps
We have a very limited number of school swimming caps in house colours remaining (mainly in smaller sizes). These are on sale now in Qkr, while stocks last.
Any caps ordered by tomorrow (Weds 25th Oct) will be delivered to your child’s classroom on Thursday. After tomorrow, any caps remaining can be purchased through Qkr, and collected at the school office by showing your Qkr receipt.
Mango orders close next Monday
It's that time of year ... the annual Mango Fundraiser is back! Orders now open in Qkr - must close Monday 30th October.
You can pick up a tray (or more!) of world-renowned Bowen (Kensington Pride) mangoes direct from the farm, while supporting our school.
$26 per tray (approx 4.5kg; between 9 - 14 mangoes per tray)
Mangoes will be ready for collection from school late Nov - early Dec; date to be confirmed via Compass.
Icypole Fridays
PFA Icypole Fridays are back for Term 4!
Send your child(ren) with $1 if they would like to buy one. Students in Prep - grade 2 can give their money to their teacher. Students in grades 3 - 6 can buy them from the hall kitchen window after the second lunch bell.
Unfortunately we sold out last week, due to a delivery discrepancy and stock shortage at the last minute, so several children missed out
Our apologies again for this, and we have made sure we have plenty of stock available for this week and beyond.