PFA Wrap up

Parents and Friends Association 2025 Wrap up

It has been another huge year for the PFA, it was my third year as PFA President and it certainly kept me very busy.

We started before the school year had even begun with a BBQ at book pack day which was a great way to get the kids excited about coming to school, and their first look at the brand new playground which got its first proper workout.

We followed that up a month into term 1 with the Welcome BBQ after school which was another great afternoon to relax and get to know some new and old friends.

Term 1 flew by and finished with the beloved Fiesta. The Fiesta is a School run event but the PFA is always there with a BBQ and a cake stall.

Our 5th Outdoor Movie Night had us all watching Paddington in Peru, and our new location behind the gym meant we weren’t cooking sausages in the dark. The new popcorn machine was flat out and we made ALL the popcorn and ran out. Marta and Nicole’s empanadas and soups were delicious and of course the BBQ, cake stall and choc tops were popular as always.

We followed up this great night first thing the next morning with the Federal election and had the BBQs running hot all day with Market Lane providing coffee.

We held our second Colour run in May, which was a lot easier now that everyone knew what to expect. The drizzle did not dampen our spirits and we had four fresh sliming victims who were great sports.

In June we had a great dinner at Brew Dog Pentridge with some fluent Spanish speakers and some amateurs trying to string together a sentence. We then enjoyed a movie at Palace Cinemas in the Spanish Movie festival. Again the movie was not quite what we were expecting and we all emerged into the foyer with tear stained cheeks and needing a hug. Children do not come with instructions is a guaranteed crying fest if you are keen to look it up on Netflix.

The Newlands Comedy Gala was back for our parent social night at the Thornbury Theatre. Declan and Josh again put together a line up of hilarious comedians who were just brilliant. The dancefloor was the place to be until we had to leave at midnight but I was glad to hear a few stayers partied on downstairs until the wee hours.

2025 was an art show year and the PFA were pleased to help with food and coordinating the silent auction. This was a lovely event for the whole community.

I reached out to Peter Combe to perform at our school which was a highlight for me as I grew up with his songs. It was lovely to see students, teachers and parents all enjoy the performance in the gym.

A massive round of applause should go to Olivia Stewart for being in charge of the Fete de la Primavera. The PFA jumps on board with the fete committee and we had such a great team this year and the fete was just so wonderful again. Many hours of planning and physical preparations go into the fete to make it the success it is.

The 75th Anniversary of Newlands was another chance to show off our ever evolving campus to alumni and past staff. We had the BBQs out and the churros were so popular I am sure we will be seeing them again next year at many events.

We made the decision not to do the mango fundraiser this year which I know was disappointing to some people. While it seems like an easy fundraiser it is actually still quite a bit of work to advertise and administer, cater for the late pleas to place an order and then distribute in a timely manner without finding discarded mangoes around the schoolground. For the transactional drive that this is and the fact that it would have represented one 70th of our profits this year, we couldn’t muster the capacity.

Morning teas have expanded to cultural experiences with food from around the globe and music and images. I have loved the morning teas and getting to know so many new people.

This year we have been able to make some exciting purchases both big and small. Here is where fundraising dollars were used in 2025:-

PFA contributed half the cost of the oval refurbishment
Split system air-conditioner for the library, creating a cool sanctuary on hot days and a cozy space on cold days
New pop corn machine
Peter Combe live at Newlands
Event essentials including new tables, clothes racks and gates
We allocated some funds to support Buildings and Grounds for working bees, the boxes for the ofrenda and the grade 6 graduation event
Substantial contribution to the B block refurbishment thanks to the Colour Run
A new drum kit for student lessons
Giant fan for the gym! This will be wonderful news to basketballers and their families as well as Raul and everyone in PE. Installation due to happen before the end of term.

Thank you to the wonderful PFA, to Adam P for being Secretary again this year and Andrea A for her brilliant Communications again, and to Sophie F for being Treasurer – even if I kept stealing her jobs. And to all our regular attendees at meetings. Please think about joining us if you can, we meet about once a month but if you can’t make it that’s ok too. Thank you to everyone who does a shift at our events too and even if you haven’t signed up and can see a long queue you are always welcome to jump in and give us a hand for 20 minutes if you can.

The PFA’s job is to raise funds and to build community, I think we have been very successful in this mission in 2025. We have raised almost $70,000 this year and that is with keeping our prices lower or similar to other schools events. Thank you for participating in all our events.

See you all in 2026

Claire Moore

PFA President