SKiPPS Fete 2026

What a day we shared together on Saturday. In truly perfect conditions, with blue skies and warm sunshine overhead, our school grounds were transformed into a vibrant, bustling hub of activity, laughter and connection. From the moment the gates opened, there was a real sense that this was something special.

At its heart, the fete is about community, and Saturday delivered that in abundance.

The rides were, as always, a major highlight. From the inflatable dodgeball arena to a range of crowd favourites, students were kept entertained for hours, moving from one activity to the next with energy and excitement. The dunk tank also proved incredibly popular, with plenty of brave staff, students and community members taking their turn in the spotlight.

The stage program ran throughout the day and showcased the extraordinary talent within and beyond our school. It was fantastic to see current students, former students and parents all contributing to a diverse and high-quality lineup. From our own orchestra and student performers through to visiting school bands and our ever-popular parent band, the stage truly reflected the creativity and confidence of our community.

Across the grounds, there was something for everyone. The food offering was outstanding, with the BBQ, baked potatoes, falafel, snack packs and treats keeping everyone well fed, while the bar provided a relaxed space for adults to gather and enjoy the afternoon.

Our stalls were another standout feature of the day. The incredibly creative Frankenbear stall was a huge hit, with students loving the opportunity to build their own unique creations. The cake stall, face paints, bag charms, chocolate toss and hair feathers in the quadrangle were packed all day. The second-hand stall in the pavilion was once again packed with quality items and drew a steady stream of bargain hunters throughout the day. The Kitchen Garden stall showcased a beautiful range of jams and preserves, highlighting the care and work that goes into this important program at our school.

The silent auction was also a major success, featuring an impressive range of items including holiday accommodation, dining experiences, artwork and generously donated prizes from local businesses. It was wonderful to see such strong engagement from our community in bidding and supporting this important part of the fete.

While the fete is first and foremost about bringing our community together, it is also a vital fundraiser for our school. We are still finalising the overall total raised, but early indications suggest that we will comfortably exceed the $64,321.66 raised at our 2024 fete. This is an extraordinary result and speaks to the generosity and commitment of our community.

The funds raised will make a genuine difference. They will support the ongoing upgrade of classroom electronic devices used by all students and enable us to undertake a significant landscaping project this year, transforming the basketball benches area into a more functional and visually appealing space for our school.

Events like this simply do not happen without an enormous amount of work behind the scenes. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to our incredible fete coordinator, Belinda Cotter, whose leadership, organisation and energy ensured the day ran so smoothly.

Thank you also to;

Rowena Fitzgerald, Mat Gdanitz, Bec Walton, Dave Williams, Claire Byrne, Kara Barbuto, Elisa Webb, Tinne Holst, Sara Strell, Lynda Tully, Uno De Waal, Sophie Maguire, Abby Cormack, Anna Esque, Erin Simpson, Beth Flood, Dehne Bingham, Annie Trewhella, Rachael O'Connor, Camey O'Keefe, Matt Cooper, Brook Saunders, Rebecca Omura, Ruth Sullivan, Isabel Robinson, Steven McKenzie, Chantelle Robson, Chantel Jose, Allison Shanahan, Jac Morphy, Susannah Waldron 

and so many others who took on key roles and responsibilities in the lead up to the event.

To the many parent volunteers who gave their time on the day, ran stalls, cooked food, set up and packed down, and supported in countless ways, thank you. Your contribution is what makes events like this possible.

Finally, we are incredibly grateful to our sponsors for their generous support. Their contributions not only enhanced the fete experience but also played a significant role in ensuring its success as a fundraiser.

Saturday was a powerful reminder of what makes our school such a special place. Thank you to everyone who played a part in making it such a memorable and successful day.