P&C update Term 4, Week 9

Written by : Margaret (P&C President)

Christmas raffle draw - 1st December 2023

I want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude towards all the volunteers who assisted with the P&C Christmas Raffle. I’d like to acknowledge the assistance of My Anh, Maly, Shirley, Lina and Angela for playing an instrumental role in the planning and success of the Christmas Raffle this year.

I would like to extend a big thank you to:

Helena from INNOVATE for their assistance in sourcing iPlay and Bricks and Brunch vouchers
Lina for organising Executive, Teachers and Staff Surprise raffle gift cards
Shirley for sourcing INNOVATE, Horizon Music Academy, Mama Ha and Caffe Cherry Beans vouchers. As well as the Priceline Pharmacy Bonnyrigg Christmas hamper

A heartfelt thank you to the wonderful and generous local businesses who donated the prizes towards the raffle. These include:

Vagabond Cruises
Raging Waters
Aquatopia - donated by Mayor of Fairfield Frank Carbone
Featherdale Wildlife Park
Taronga Conservation Society Australia
Calmsley Hill
Scenic World
Mounties – Major fun
iPlay
Mama Ha
Bricks and Brunch
Caffe Cherry Beans
Priceline pharmacy Bonnyrigg
Coles
Innovate
Horizon Music Academy

We are thrilled to express our deepest gratitude and overwhelming support that made our Christmas raffle an incredible success. Your contributions have not only made this event possible but have also added the enjoyment and success of the occasion, we are grateful for your commitment.

Your dedication to the P&C, our school and most importantly, our students has truly made a significant impact.

We hope that everyone had a joyful day. The smile on our winners faces on the day was truly contagious with the winners same for the students that were absent but were able to collect their prizes the following day. The Christmas holidays for our lucky winners will be filled with even more fun times and happiness with all the amazing prizes.

Shirley (Vice President) has additionally extended her special thank you:

Thank you to:

Mama Ha, Bonnyrigg – A local restaurant and takeaway that specialises in fresh dumplings and desserts.

Priceline, Bonnyrigg – A pharmacy and retailer of health and beauty products

IPlay (Wetherill Park) - A family friendly amusement centre with interactive activities

Bricks and Brunch, Fairfield West - A modern cafe, ideal for breakfast, brunch and lunch

Special thanks for donating to P&C members:

Innovate, Fairfield West - Child mind development specialists through classroom and online training.

Horizon Music Academy, Fairfield West - Music school offering lessons from beginner to advanced levels.

Thank you,

Shirley

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Surprise Executives, Teachers and Staff Raffle draw – 1st December 2023

Executives, Teachers and Staff are the hardest working people at the school. They run the school, teach, take care of our many students, and help keep the school clean and safe.

We would like to show you our appreciation and had prepared a surprise draw for you all. Congratulations to our 4 lucky winners: Ms M Pham, Ms S Ta (1S), Ms J. Nguyen and Ms E Gallo.

Thank you to Coles who supplied 3x gift cards and Priceline Bonnyrigg who donated a hamper with lots of goodies.

School Markings 2023

Last year the school leaders approached the P&C and asked us to help support them in the ‘School Captains School Markers Project’, which is a ‘Cowpasture Community Initiatives project’ for the infant’s playground. This was a 2-year project and cost $22,500, last year coming back from covid it was a struggle to start P&C back up with all the limitations.

This year we started to work towards this project, we worked very hard alongside Ms Savva and this year’s school leaders and with the help of our amazing P&C, the school, our parents, our children and our wonderful community including a huge thank you to St Johns Park Bowling Club for their generous $1500 Donation.

I am beyond pleased to announce that the Markers will be installed sometime this week! Thank you everyone who helped and supported this wonderful cause. Please look out for further updates on the exact date and time this will happen.

This project is to further community development by focusing on the educational development of younger community members. This is achieved by providing a fun interactive learning space for the kids at St Johns Park Public school as means of promoting lifelong learning in a fun, safe and interactive environment. The goal of learning through active play is achieved with the introduction of multiple learning based and colourful educational playground markings in the school’s playground.

Interactive learning spaces promote community awareness by helping children build bonds with one another. When playing in playgrounds, children often must work together, encouraging cooperation. While playing and learning in an interactive space, kids will further build upon their leadership and communication skills which are essential to participating in the community as responsible citizens.

As the learning space is not age restricted, this promotes inclusion and provides a place for children from all walks to life to enjoy the benefits of the proposed upgraded space. Meeting and playing with other children from all walks of life helps build social skills that are essential for childhood development. Children are able to learn about others’ experiences building upon empathy and encouraging them to relate to others as they grow. Further encouraging local community engagement and participation as they grow.

Interactive School playgrounds provide opportunities for outdoor learning, encouraging outdoor play and promoting physical health. Playing outdoors help kids develop healthy habits via the promotion of physical activity. Physical activity has been shown to reduce anxiety and stress while also helping retain knowledge (boosting physical and mental health). By encouraging resilience, communities are better able to come together and adapt.

I hope that the children at St Johns Park Public School can use these playground markers for years and years to come and it will bring happiness, activeness, fun and visual aesthetics to us all.

P&C Meeting 2024

Our next meeting is on the 21st of February 2024 at 9.30am in the school hall.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Have a safe, fun holiday and see you back at St Johns Park Public School next year in 2024.

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Attendance Raffle

D.McCammond, Deputy Principal