FORPS, Parents & Community
Presidents Report 2025
2024 was our non-fair year, or our ‘quiet year’, but the FORPS team successfully raised nearly $20,000, which will be allocated towards the resurfacing of the basketball court
Despite the relatively small size of our FORPS committee, it is composed of some remarkable and dedicated individuals. I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our executive committee members:
Jackie Arbuckle - This year, Jackie not only assumed the role of Vice President but also continued her responsibilities as the FORPS school council liaison and the sick bay coordinator.
Maegan Devine – Serving as the FORPS secretary for several years, Maegan once again excelled in keeping the school community informed about all details regarding our FORPS events, in addition to the callout and coordination of volunteers for all our events.
Lee Adams – Took on the role of Treasurer this year, ensuring that our financial matters were well managed and also volunteered to be the FORPS BBQ coordinator.
Emma McLellan - As our catering coordinator, Emma made sure that attendees at our various morning teas were provided with a delightful selection of food and beverages.
Bronwyn Stefani – Bron once again fulfilled the role of lost property coordinator, diligently ensuring that misplaced items were returned to their rightful owners (please remember to label your belongings) at the conclusion of each term.
We commenced the year with our Tissue and Tea session for the 2024 Prep parents. This informal gathering allowed parents of newly enrolled children to connect with one another over a cup of tea and discuss this significant milestone in their families' lives. It was fantastic to see not only new school parents joining us but also some of our more ‘experienced’ parents who had just dropped off their second or even third child.
The inaugural official meeting of the year was dedicated to our planning session and Annual General Meeting (AGM), during which we had the pleasure of welcoming several new members to the group. We appointed our office bearers, outlined the events for the year, and prepared for an engaging year of fundraising activities.
The first fundraising event of the year was the annual Welcome Back picnic, a wonderful occasion to commemorate the beginning of the school year and to greet new families joining the school community. The weather in Melbourne was exceptionally pleasant, allowing students to engage in various activities throughout the evening, including playing games with friends and showcasing their artistic talents by painting a large mural. Meanwhile, parents appreciated the opportunity to unwind and reconnect with other families from RPS. Special thanks are extended to Jackie for her efforts in organizing this event, as well as to TheirCare for sponsoring the evening.
Our famous Easter raffle took place at the end of Term 1, under the supervision of Jackie and Hayley. They coordinated the distribution of raffle tickets, the collection of donations, the wrapping of hampers and the drawing of prizes. As always, the RPS families demonstrated remarkable generosity in their contributions, enabling us to award over 30 prizes and raise more than $3,000.
The Mothers and Father’s Day stalls offer students a unique opportunity to shop for their loved ones; an experience they might not typically engage in. A heartfelt thank you is extended to Emma for her assistance in selecting and purchasing an excellent range of items for students to choose from, a task which can be very daunting when trying to guess what would appeal to students. We had a small army of helpers running around for some last-minute additions to make the event a success.
In July, we hosted the much-anticipated school disco in Chandler Hall, featuring the talented team from Bop Til You Drop, who provided a lively selection of popular songs. All participants enjoyed a delightful evening filled with singing and dancing alongside their friends. This year, we also introduced a Breakout Room for students who required a break from the evening's noise and excitement. Thank you to all the parents and caregivers who volunteered their time to ensure that everyone had an unforgettable experience and that all students felt at ease participating.
In August, Rosanna experienced a Hollywood-style event as the red carpet was laid out for the RPS Trivia Night, which attracted a variety of ‘celebrities’. This adult event was filled with entertainment and laughter (including at Anthony’s costume changes), a silent auction and additional games that contributed to the festivities, ultimately raising nearly $6,000. We extend our gratitude to all those who played a role in ensuring the success of the evening from set up, decorations & props, operating the bar, marking answer sheets, donating goods & drinks and the all-important clean up. Many hands make light work!
Our newly appointed BBQ coordinator, Lee, ran a successful Bunnings BBQ raising over $3,000 and it was great to see not only some familiar faces, but also some new people volunteering to turn a few sausages on the day.
This year our Tea Towel fundraiser returned in time for Christmas. Students and teachers were tasked with creating self-portraits which were subsequently printed on a commemorative tea towel. This item will serve as a memento of the individuals at RPS in 2024 and will remain a cherished keepsake for years to come.
As 2024 was coming to an end - it was time to start thinking of the 2025 school fair. A planning meeting for the fair took place in November, attracting a remarkable turnout of individuals who were enthusiastic and ready to contribute to ensuring the event's success. We eagerly anticipate what promises to be an extraordinary day on Saturday, November 15th.
Following the positive feedback received from our last Paella Van event, we invited Tom back to participate in our end-of-year picnic. Additionally, we decided to at a sausage sizzle as an alternative meal option, which our BBQ champion, Lee, organized to ensure that families were well fed.
As I sign off on another awesome year as FORPS president, I want to thank not only our committee, but every person who generously volunteered their time to help with the many FORPS events throughout the year. Whether it was helping at our Mother’s/Father’s day stalls, donating an item or buying a raffle ticket for our Easter Raffle, or turning a sausage at our school picnic or the Bunnings BBQ, without everyone’s hard work and dedication, we would not be able to put on these events and raise much needed funds for our wonderful school.
Finally, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Jeff, Justine, Kim, and Ally, as well as the RPS staff, for the invaluable support you provide to FORPS throughout the year.
Kym Sinclair
FORPS President
