Winter Magic Market - Huge Thank you

In 2015 I took on the role of coordinating the Winter Magic Market from the wonderful Samantha Cohen. She had coordinated the market in 2014 and caused some controversy as she had brought in a bouncy castle, figuring (correctly) that parents can stay longer if their kids have something to do.

The old days of a big school fete had waned due to lack of parent enthusiasm and the Winter Magic Market was developed with a focus on adults. There was some music, external market stalls, an art auction of donations from community members and local artists, a cake and jam stall, curries, spit roast and a small bar in the Art room. Sam bravely stood up to those who didn't like the small changes she had made and the seeds of the current Winter Magic Market were sown. 

The 2015 Winter Magic Market, my first one, had a few extra changes, the Art Auction featured and celebrated the kids art as well, there was a treat stall for kids separate to the big cake stall, and we moved the bar and some food into the undercover area to create a food court. It was a raging success, the kids had so much fun and from there it has grown into the market you all know.

Thank you so very very much for all the laughs, fun and hard work you brought to Winter Magic Market. With only six weeks to pull it together we all accomplished a bit of magic, bringing everything people really loved about the way our school does a fete. The school community should feel very proud of what we achieved after some very difficult years.

It feels really special to know so many of you jumped in to make the event on Saturday happen. The stall coordinators were superbly organised, stalls looked amazing, the roster filled up and there were so many smiles and so much support for one another. 

Saturday had the most fabulous, slightly more chilled out happy vibe. We proved that pared down to the basics is still pretty special. 

It was special because of all of you. Your willingness to put your hands up made the event happen. Your enthusiasm and generosity brought in all the other parents who turned up to set up on Friday and Saturday morning, do shifts during the market, help pack up last night and today.

I so loved getting to spend time again those of you who were there the very first market I coordinated, who stuck by me and came back every year, those who have joined the team over the years and the new parents who it was so wonderful to get to know.

It was my last market and I feel so excited to know will evolve as the years go on and there are so many people who will jump in to make it happen again in the future. 

On behalf of school council, the broader school community and also myself I say a huge thank you to you all.

Warm and very grateful regards,

Tanya

School Council President

signing off as lead coordinator for the Winter Magic Market.