Fundraising 

Thank you, amazing Valkstone community! Your incredible efforts in fundraising this year have blown us away. Whether you organised, donated, volunteered, or purchased something, each one of you has played a crucial part in making our fundraising efforts a roaring success. You've shown that when our school family comes together, there's nothing we can't achieve. Give yourselves a big pat on the back – you've earned it!

Fundraising plays a vital role in enhancing our students' educational experience. It's often through community fundraising that we're able to provide those extra special elements that make our school shine. Additional resources that we can purchase with fundraising funds not only enrich our students' learning, but also create a more vibrant and engaging school environment. By supporting our fundraising initiatives, you're directly investing in your children's education and helping to create lasting memories of their primary school years.

"But what exactly is the money going towards?" you ask. Let me fill you in!

For those of you who enter our school through Gate 1 (on Valkstone Street, by the crossing) you will have noticed that we have a large bare area to the right, between the gate and the frog pond – underneath the large trees. Over the years there have been various attempts to grow things under there, but unfortunately they have not been successful, so for a while now, we have been in brainstorming mode for utilising this space.

Additionally, we have been looking at ways to increase the guided imaginative play opportunities for our students at recess and lunch. Numerous studies have highlighted the importance of play in children's development and the evidence is clear: play is essential for children's long-term success. Some children naturally gravitate towards activities during recess and lunch, effortlessly finding ways to occupy their time. However, others may struggle to initiate play or social interactions, feeling unsure about how to spend these free periods. A structured play area would provide gentle prompts and opportunities for engagement, helping hesitant children explore different activities and interactions in a supportive environment. 

Through combining these two ideas and a LOT of brainstorming, it is with great excitement that I share with you our impending cubby house village – Valkstown!

A cubby house village is a whimsical space designed to resemble a miniature village. It features themed cubby houses that mimic real-world establishments that our students experience in life outside of school. These imaginative spaces transport children to a world where they can let their creativity flourish. They engage in role-play, learn essential academic skills, and form social connections, all while having fun.

We are using the money raised through our fundraising this year to start the village with one cubby house initially, along with a welcome sign and a directional sign. 

Student voice is important to us here at Valkstone, especially when it comes to designing a space that children are going to play in! I have been down to the Year 1 area and presented them with eleven options that we could start with. The overwhelming winner was a burger drive-through! I’ve included a picture below of what it will look like, although we are still deciding on our personalised shop name and the colour scheme. I've also included my 'inspo picture' of an existing cubby village at St Joseph's Primary School in Malvern that I used when we were all imagining what the space could look like.

In regards to future fundraising, every $5,000 that is raised will be able to fully purchase a commercial grade, themed cubby house and the associated ‘bits and bobs’ that will turn it into a fully functional imaginative play space for our students.

I look forward to sharing with you the progress of our fundraising efforts and of the Valkstown Village in upcoming newsletters.