GPA Newsletter 13 December 2018
Events & Reminders
Term 4: Monday 8 October – Friday 21 December
Friday 14 December: GPA End of Year Dinner (After the Tears, Elsternwick)
Friday 21 December: Last Day of School – Early dismissal at 1.30pm
First day of Term 1 2019 for students: Thursday 31st January
Thursday 31 January 2019: GPA Prep Parent Welcome Morning Tea (9.15am, Activities Centre)
Tuesday 12 February: Fete Meeting (2 sessions – please attend either 9.15am or 7.30pm, Wendy Wilson Hall)
Friday 1 March: 1st GPA Meeting (9.45am after assembly, Wendy Wilson Hall)
GPA Sign Off for 2018…
Thank you for supporting our fundraising and social activities this year. It has been a busy and fun year for the GPA and volunteers from our broader community. To everyone who has supported our fundraising and social events by volunteering, baking or contributing in some other way – we thank you.
Next year we would love to see our GPA numbers swell. Everyone is welcome to be a part of the GPA – even if you can’t attend meetings. With our Twilight Fete on next year, we will need as much help as we can get from all corners of the school.
The GPA bid farewell the families who are leaving the school at the end of this year. We would like to acknowledge the significant support we have received over the years from Andrea Carveth, Anna Maimarosia, Lena Wilson, Donna Gardiner, Jody Tighe and Juliana Pecer and families – we are going to miss you!
The GPA will be celebrating the end of a fantastic year of fundraising and social events this Friday 14 December from 6.30pm at ‘After the Tears’ – 9b Gordon Street, Elsternwick.
Thank you to our Kids Disco team
Thank you to DJ Funky Owl (aka Shan Jayaweera) as our resident DJ and to Cassandra David as Disco Coordinator for putting on such a fantastic Kids Disco on Saturday 1 December. Thank you also to Ally Stuart, Anna Maimarosia, Caitilin Hawkins, Heidi Powell, Lara O’Grady, Magda Afxentis, Margo White, Mouli Dutta, Nicole and Theo Verginis, Ben Shields, Rohini Kulkarni, Trudi Giouris and James Blair and to the staff (Mrs Emma Murnane, Mr Bill Manuel and Mrs Libby Alessi) who volunteered on the evening.
Carols Evening Wrap Up
Our Carols Evening was a wonderful night on the West Site – we were thoroughly entertained listening to our talented students singing classic Christmas tunes and favourites (thanks to Mr David Jenkins for co-ordinating the music program).
The Art Auction was a great success with some fun and friendly competition during bidding for the wonderful artwork created by our very own GHPS students and collated by our Art Teacher Ms Justine De Bruyn!
Thank you to Nicole and Theo Verginis for co-ordinating a fantastic BBQ for the Carols Night, and to Justine DeBruyn (staff) for sorting dessert with Jude’s Lemonade Icy-Poles.
Thank you also to Ally Stuart, Anjali Jain, Anna Maimarosia, Ben Shields, Caitilin Hawkins, Craig Matthews, Dave Johnstone, Kathryn Dench, Geoff Simmons, Mouli Dutta, Rohini Kulkarni, Shan Jayaweera, Ms Amy Tinetti (Vice Principal) and Mrs Libby Alessi (Principal) for wrapping hampers, setting up, cooking, serving, and packing-up, and to all of our other helpers on the evening.
Chocolate Drive
Thank you for your continued support selling the remaining boxes of chocolates. There are still plenty more available from the office available for sale for discounted price of $50 per box (cash up front). Little entrepreneurs can raise money for the school and earn themselves $10 per box for their efforts. For those families who have not yet returned their money and any unsold stock – please do so this week!
GPA – making a difference
The GPA are a dynamic team of parents and friends of the Glen Huntly Primary School Community who fundraise for our school to improve the facilities and experiences for our children. We also organise fun social events that bring our wonderful school community together and build strong links between our school and the wider community.
The GPA have now raised approximately $19,000 this year (final figures to be calculated).
We couldn’t have done it without your support.
Cake Raffle – Fridays – Tickets $1
Thank you to Kate Taylor and Juliana Pecer for baking this fortnight.
Angela Natalier will be baking this week (thanks Ange!). Don’t forget to support this fundraising for our school by buying tickets for $1 each.
Helen Matthews will be rounding out the last week of term with a gingerbread house (like the one pictured above) just in time for Christmas (thanks Helen!). Tickets for the gingerbread house raffle will be $2 each or 3 for $5.
Thank you to all of our wonderful bakers this year and to all of the school community who purchased tickets – we really appreciate you supporting this delicious fundraising.
Friday Lunchtime Snacks
We need 2 extra helpers this week (at 1.15) and next week (at 12 noon). If you can spare an hour on either Friday, please sign up here: http://signup.com/go/pNVBgpG
Students who have not pre-ordered for the term can purchase Quelch fruit sticks on the day for $1 each. Don’t forget your money!
2019 Twilight Fete Meeting Report – Next Meeting : Tuesday 12th Feburary 2019 at 9.15am AND 7.30pm, Wendy Wilson Hall
Our first official Fete meeting was held on Monday 3rd December – and we have made a great start!
The 2019 Fete will be another Twilight Fete to be held on Saturday 26th October 2019 from 2-8pm.
Some Co-ordinator roles have been snaffled up with Fiona Davey the Fete Co-ordinator, Caitlin Hawkins the Communications Co-ordinator, Nicole Verginis the Publicity & Marketing Co-ordinator, Shan Jayaweera the Entertainment/Events Co-ordinator, Cassandra David & Ben Shields the Plant Stall Co-ordinators, and Theo Verginis the Souvlaki Stall Co-ordinator. There are still numerous Co-ordinator roles up for grabs including Activities Co-ordinator, Food & Drinks Co-ordinator, Sponsorship Co-ordinator; and Co-ordinators for the many & varied stalls we have planned! If anyone is interested in being a Co-ordinator please email ghpsfete@gmail.com Further details outlining the roles will be made available in early 2019.
During the meeting we discussed what worked well during the 2017 Twilight Fete and what we can improve on – and we are very much looking forward to another amazing Fete next year!
2019 Prep Parent Welcome Morning Tea
GPA have a wonderful tradition of hosting the Prep Parent Welcome Morning Tea on the first day of school for our preps.
In 2019 all grades (Prep to Grade 6) will commence school on the same day (Thursday 31st January).
If you are able to co-ordinate the morning tea, bake some delicious savouries or sweets, help serve, meet & greet our new families to GHPS, and/or help pack up then please sign up: 2019 Prep Parent Morning Tea
Working With Children Check (WWCC)
Under the updated Volunteer Policy for the school, all volunteers will need to hold a WWCC (Volunteer Check). This means that you will need to hold a WWCC (or have submitted your application) to volunteer on the icypole stall, or to help with readers, in class rooms and at the Kids Disco this Saturday.
It is simple, quick and free to apply for a WWCC online and to finalise your application at participating Australia Post Outlets. The Australia Post outlet will take a photo for you and you won’t need to make an appointment. Follow this link and get cracking: www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au