From the P&F
What a year it has been!
This year saw the Parents & Friends Association (P&F) host a Quiz Night in August, which was a great success and featured plenty of winners and smiles. The Quiz Night raised almost $15,000 with funds going toward playground upgrades in the Early Learning Centre. We had so much fun putting on this event for our school community and are looking forward and planning similar events for 2025.
Our P&F Primary Disco, held in October, was a fantastic night of dancing and Halloween fun. We did things a little differently this year with technology to check in the groovers, as well as our DJ spinning records and the crowd work with conga lines, limbo and other activities. By all reports a great night had, which was enjoyed by students and committee volunteers alike!
We also joined in celebrating our teachers by supporting World Teachers’ Day in October, to thank JWACS educators and show our gratitude with a surprise-and-delight sweet treat presented by student leaders.
This year the P&F have helped by contributing funding toward ELC Playground upgrades, picnic benches, netball and basketball hoops, lockers, food technology equipment and a mural.
Other projects supported and contributed to include Lego League, Wollaston Care, Primary and Secondary Clubs, Head Prefects' blazer embroidery, Student Awards, various teaching aids, ELC books, Year 6 and Year 12 Graduation events and so on.
This time of year is busy for families as we race to the finish line so we can relax and enjoy the Christmas break. One of the honours I have is to attend all the Praise and Thanksgiving ceremonies at John Wollaston on behalf of the P&F. It is truly special to share in and congratulate our students on the incredible learning journeys and achievements they have had throughout the year, and for our Year 6 cohort also marking the transition of their journey from Primary to Secondary school. The other highlight was at Year 10 and 11 Praise and Thanksgiving ceremony presenting the 2024 House Cup to Hale House!
Whilst it has been a busy year, the committee doesn't rest over the long break as we continue to work hard behind the scenes, organising the massive Welcome Back BBQ that the P&F hosts every year in February.
Welcome Back BBQ
The P&F warmly invites you to attend the 2025 Welcome Back Barbecue to be held on Tuesday 11 February 2025, from 5:00pm - 8:00pm, in the Central Courtyard.
The evening will feature:
• Live music and entertainment from students and Miss Burbage
• Old MacDonald's animal farm
• School Café open for refreshments, snacks and ice creams
• School Prefects selling drinks to support the School’s Lent Event
• OMG Donuts for purchase
• Chalk Café Hospitality students selling tea and coffee.
The P&F are providing one free sausage or burger in bun per person to those who book via the Try Booking link here: https://www.trybooking.com/CXQBD
Gluten free and vegetarian options are available. Bookings will close on Sunday 9 February 2025.
Annual General Meeting
The P&F will be holding its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in the School Library Resource Room next year on Wednesday 19 February 2025 from 6:30pm.
Save the date and come along to meet your P&F committee and find out what we have done over the year 2024, and pass on any suggestions or ideas you may have for 2025 and beyond. You will also get a chance to hear from our new Principal and School Executive. This is a great opportunity to become better informed about what’s happening and planned in our school and community.
All positions on the committee become vacant each year. We will take nominations for President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and General Committee.
If you have the time do come along and have a listen and maybe put your hand up to join the P&F. It’s a great opportunity to make a difference and make some great friends. We hope to see you there!
Unincorporating the Parents and Friends Association
Earlier this year we had to postpone a General Meeting of members for consideration to unincorporate the P&F Association, whilst we undertook a reassessment of our current plans.
With that now completed, a General Meeting of members to consider and pass special resolution to voluntarily cancel the P&F Association’s incorporation, is to be held directly after our AGM on Wednesday 19 February 2025. Please refer to the attached Notice of General Meeting below for more information.
Over the years, incorporation of our P&F Association had served us well. However, as we look at our current situation, with our simpler financial structure and as a small committee of volunteer parents who aim to support the School in progressing key strategic initiatives and host a few events each year, we recognise that unincorporating the P&F Association will provide advantages. By removing unnecessary administrative burden, it will allow us to continue to focus on our aims of making our school community thrive and enriching your family's experience at John Wollaston.
My best wishes to all for a blessed Christmas and trust you have a wonderful and well-deserved break for the holidays.
Jason Barron
President
parentsandfriends@jwacs.wa.edu.au