Parents' Association
Term 4
Spotlight on Bao
Bao is someone who says one thing but does something else - and it's not a bad thing!
Bao joined the School Council in 2023 as a new parent to the school, with her first child in Foundation, not knowing what/how she could contribute. Priscilla also joined the school council in 2023 and volunteered to revive the Parents' Association since it fizzled after the COVID pandemic. Bao was supportive of the idea and offered to "help", but was hesitant to take on another major responsibility with her part-time work and another younger child at home.
In that first year, the waters were tested with some small initiatives, such as coffee tasting at morning tea, and volunteering with the teachers and staff in organising the highly successful 2023 Trivia Night for Mullum's 60th anniversary. The Parents' Association email account and WhatsApp group were set up, and helped to design and distribute feedback, promotional and event material for the school.
In 2024, given growing interest in the school community, Bao said she "wasn't interested in leading the PA" but made sure that the AGM and paperwork required to get the Mullum PS Parent's Association formally registered again with the state Department of Education were fulfilled.
When the 2025 Trivia Night Organising Team was formed, Bao did not volunteer to join as she "didn't want to commit just yet". Knowing how successful she was raising donations for the 2023 Trivia Night event, Priscilla asked her if she could simply give the team some pointers with cold calling. Bao then decided that she could do more, coordinating most of the $9,500+ worth of donations (given her prior experience, it made sense to her to reach out again to businesses for continuity), making hampers and prize packs, and assisting at the transaction desk on event night. Thank you again to all the wonderful donors and sponsors for the event! Over $7000 in profit was raised!
Bao is an active member of the Parents' Association, contributing to discussions and giving great ideas, and always considering ways to highlight diversity, inclusion and sustainability in our community. In Term Three she coordinated the volunteers and ran the Fathers Day Stall (with a profit of $1128.23).
Bao has sat on the School Council since 2023 and as Vice President as of this year. She also serves as the Parents' Association Representative to the council.
Bao keeps an eye out via the FRoGs WhatsApp messages and donates items when possible that are requested.
She is a "get-things-done efficiently without overcomplicating things" kind of person, loves to have a contingency plan, and is a big believer in doing what you can, when you can, without pressure or overcommitting. Everyone has something to contribute within their capacity, and the more the merrier! Thank you Bao for all you do on the PA and for the school community.
How to get involved
The Parents' Association will be holding their AGM onsite 7pm Wednesday 19th November. All are welcome to attend. You will need to be a member to vote that evening for the President, Secretary and Treasurer positions. Sign up on the night if attending in person. If you will be joining online and would like to vote, you will need to sign up to be a member by Monday 17 November.
Email mullumparentsassociation@gmail.com
before that date.
School council
Read more on the following link on what the role of the school council is and how you can get involved
https://www.mullumps.vic.edu.au/school
FrOGs
If you have time to spare on a Wednesday morning, all are welcome to join others to work on the garden. If you are not available bit would like to donate items to the garden, please email the PA and we will forward your details to Ari the FrOGs coordinator.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Persian Brunch
11am Wednesday 19 November onsite
Come and enjoy a delicious brunch prepared by members of our Mullum Persian Community
$22 - tickets need to be pre-booked. Limited spaces.