Parent Power!
Peter Parbery
President, Parents Association
The Parents Association has been lucky to attract several fantastic new members in 2024, including occasional helpers and heavy lifters. This was just as well, as several of our long-standing members graduated from the school in 2023.
We started our year by welcoming our new members with a social night. We had great attendance and rollicking good fun, until the Hotel Railway kicked us out at closing time. We enjoyed a second social night at Noisy Ritual in the second half of the year. As well as meeting new people and sharing some laughs, the Parents Association delivered a lot of value to the school and community.
Ed, Claudia, Mel, Pete, Allison & Tracey
Ed, Claudia, Mel, Pete, Allison & Tracey
Some of BSCPA’s core members at the Trivia Night, August 2024: Ed Berry, Peter Parbery, Tracey Talko, Claudia Martinez, Mel Pagliaro and Allison Berry.
This year we raised $24,626 with the support of local business and our school community, adding to an already sizable war chest.
These funds were raised through our Trivia Night, our stalls at the Twilight Fete, and our Second-hand Uniform Sales. So far this year funds have been used to purchase several sets of soccer goals for the grounds, to help obtain a sizable (matching) grant to renovate the basketball courts (outcome tbc), and to cater for the Teachers Day 'thankyou' lunch and a number of musical evening soirees.
Over the summer we are funding the installation of bird netting as part of the F-block Atrium refurbishment, which we know will be very welcome!
The Parents Association delivered at least five second hand uniform stalls over the course of the year, giving parents the opportunity to access discount uniforms, and raising thousands of dollars. Thanks to all the parents who donated uniform items - please keep them coming. And a huge thanks to Gill and Kaz for making it all happen!
Our two major events during the year were the Trivia Night and the Twilight Fete. As well as raising funds, these events provided an opportunity for parents to connect and have fun. The Trivia Night was a great success: tickets were sold out and patrons were clearly having a great time. It raised approximately $15,000 net: from ticket sales, online auction and bar sales. Kudos and massive thanks to Allison Berry and the working group for organising and running this major event.
For the Twilight Fete, the Parents Association contributed stalls for craft, cakes, uniforms and of course the bar: well patronised given the heat. All ran smoothly and helped make it all fun on the night.
We also contributed to a number of smaller events over the year: putting on a 'thankyou' lunch for teachers on Teachers Day (25 October), and catering for the art show (November) and a number of musical soirees.
The Parents Association this year mostly consisted of myself plus Allison Berry (Secretary), Claudia Martinez (Treasurer), Mel Pagliaro, Tracey Talko, Gill Ward, Karyn Di Florio, Ed Berry, Mittul Vahanvati and Stephen Brisolla. Thank you to all our members for their valuable contribution - large and small. Plus extra massive thanks to our mega contributors, including Mel Pagliaro and especially the inimitable Allison Berry. Thanks also to Sally Goss for attending our meetings as the school’s representative, and to the many parents who have donated or helped out at our events.