P&F News
Where does the money Go?????
Parents & Friends – a 15 year reflection
This year, two of our committee members are celebrating the end of their families’ journeys at St Francis after being involved with the P&F Committee for an incredible 15 years – (Thank you Baker and Fraser families). What better way to celebrate this milestone than to reflect on the past 15 years of the St Francis Parents & Friends Committee and all that has been achieved along the way?
When we talk about P&F fundraising, it’s easy to think about the events themselves - the raffles, discos, Rainbow Runs and Debutante Balls. But behind every fundraising event is a bigger picture: what does all that effort actually achieve for our students and our school?
The St Francis Debutante Balls
The St Francis Debutante Balls have been running since 2010. Organised by a dedicated volunteer committee, the Deb Balls provide an opportunity for past St Francis students to return to the school community in Year 11 and celebrate this special milestone with their families and friends.
The Deb Balls have become an important part of the St Francis community and, alongside being a wonderful event for our former students, have also made a significant contribution to P&F fundraising over the years.
15 years ago…
The St Francis Fete was held every March and was one of the school’s major fundraising events. A dedicated volunteer committee would spend months preparing for the big day, which brought the whole school community together for a wonderful day of family fun.
There were rides, a talent show, cakes and plenty of other activities, with the Fete raising around $15,000–$20,000 on average.
It was a huge undertaking, requiring many volunteers before, during and after the event. While the Fete was a fantastic fundraiser, it was also a wonderful example of what can be achieved when our school community comes together.
10 years ago…
Did you know that previously there was a house where the now soccer oval is? You may also not now that the two lower playgrounds, soccer oval landscaping, goals and fencing were funded through school fundraising?
At the time, the P&F took out a $230,000 loan to fund the playgrounds and soccer oval renovation. Fundraising activities in the years that followed - including the Fete, Debutante Balls and other fundraising initiatives - helped meet the ongoing loan repayments.
Over the years, the P&F has also tried a wide variety of fundraising activities, including mango drives, pie drives and chocolate drives.
And what about the school discos? The Disco has been a P&F-funded initiative for several years, with P&F funds covering the DJ and a snack bag for every student at the end of the event. Gold-coin donations collected at the door are then donated to a charity chosen by our Year 6 students.
2020 and 2021…
Then came COVID!!!!
The Fete was first postponed and ultimately cancelled, and the school Disco - well what a story… lockdown was announced for midnight the night of the disco.. so it may as well go ahead as who knew when we’d see each other again! Like many community organisations, fundraising became particularly challenging during these years, while the P&F still had ongoing financial commitments, including the playground loan repayments.
Even during these difficult years, the school community found ways to contribute. Easter egg raffles, for example, became an important fundraiser and helped the P&F continue meeting its commitments.
It was with great pleasure and pride that the P&F with support from the school community was able to finish paying the loans for the playground and soccer areas.
The Fete did not return after COVID. Instead, a new fundraising event was introduced - the Rainbow Run.
Held towards the end of the school year in 2021, the Rainbow Run quickly became a wonderful way to bring the school community together while raising funds for the school. The first one was the biggest crowd Tim Moloney had seen for a long time at school, more than any other sporting event! Today, the Rainbow Run and Debutante Balls are among our largest fundraising activities, demonstrating how the P&F continues to evolve its fundraising to suit our school community.
Every fundraiser has a purpose
Looking back over the years, it is amazing to see how fundraising has changed - from volunteer driven Fetes and mango drives to Rainbow Runs and Debutante Balls.
What hasn't changed is the purpose behind it.
The money raised by the P&F is reinvested into our school and our students.
Whether it helps build a playground, provides new learning resources, funds a school event or contributes towards a future facility upgrade, every dollar raised is helping to make St Francis a better place for our children.
So, as we ask you to participate in the Rainbow Run, or volunteer at an event or support one of our fundraising activities, remember - you are helping make these things possible.
Look out for the next newsletter where we continue the P&F story – about where the money goes and how it helps our students.
Mango Drive Fundraiser
St Francis Rainbow Run
Families can click on this link to start their Rainbow Run fundraising journey. Keep an eye out in the newsletter for updated class totals and other fun things!!!
