Fete - Silent auction report

From Penny Hewson, Fete Committee & Parents & Friends (P&F) Committee

A mighty $12,000 raised

The Silent Auction ran for two weeks and hundreds of people were able to participate. There was a great array of toys & games, books and classes, restaurants and coffee vouchers, as well as artworks, health & beauty services, yoga and gym memberships. It was a great success and was able to raise over $12k to contribute towards the fundraising total.

Our 'Around The World' School Fete was fundraising for upgrades to our Errol St site as it transitions to a senior campus - with our new junior Molesworth Street campus opening in 2023. These upgrades will focus on inclusive and sensory areas and equipment to support the ongoing well-being of our students.

Connecting the community with our school 

When the Parents & Friends Association first started to plan the fete they were very aware that the school hadn’t hosted such a big event since the 2018 Harmony Fete. Not only was this going to be a super fun time for the students, staff and families of NMPS but also a wonderful opportunity to involve the local businesses and community. A primary school holds a special place in the heart of every neighbourhood. With many local business owners having children at NMPS and others having attended themselves many years ago!

Silent auction logistics and set-up

A Silent Auction gives an opportunity for businesses and families to donate goods and services to help with fund raising for the school. This year the P&F committee decided to embrace technology and, instead of holding the auction at the 4-hour fete as was usual, to move the process online to give everyone more time to get involved and participate. A website was found that were really good at hosting auctions, and it was already being used by other local schools, and theirs looked great. 

Then the work began, as we started going out to visit local businesses to ask if they’d like to be involved the best thing started to happen! Everyone was so warm and positive and excited to support the school. There was so much goodwill and offers to help. It became clear that #localsupport #supportlocal would become the key hashtags of the fundraiser. Our community is so fortunate to enjoy a diverse and unique array of independently owned shops and businesses, fashion, architects, galleries, boutique brewers, distillers and wine stores, writing and art classes, book shops, cafes and coffee roasters, and of course restaurants featuring cuisine that truly is from ‘Around the World’.

Prep parents step up to the work load 

Luckily there was a small group of enthusiastic Prep Mums that put their hand up to help co-ordinate all the details, which turned into a tsunami of work, having to meet lots of deadlines, but their good humour and determination ensured they got the job done in time. 

Well done Prep Mums!

Thank you again to all who donated, prepared and purchased.