COMMUNITY
Parents and Friends Society
At the AGM held in November 2017
a number of P&F Committee members
retired. On behalf of the parent and broader
Guildford Grammar School community
I would like to thank Danielle Norrish
(President), Peta Barnes (Secretary) and Sheri-
lee Knoop-Bender (FOPS President) for their
dedication, hard work and the achievements
they have contributed to the School over
many, many years! However, they have not
gone very far with Danielle moving to the
School Council as the P&F Representative
to the Council. Peta and Sheri-Lee have
temporarily retained their ‘old’ appointments
whilst we source new members as well as
taking on new roles.
I would like to welcome the new 2018
Committee:
• Vice President – Tony Minchin
• Secretary – Peta Barnes (Acting until
June); Talana Hacking (from June)
• Treasurer – Daria Richards
• Senior School Representatives – Peta
Barnes & Sheri-lee Knoop-Bender
• Preparatory School Representatives –
Alexia Eddowes & Dorian De Santis
• Arts – Michelle Osborne
• FOSS – Nada Edwards (President)
• FOPS – Sheri-lee Knoop-Bender &
Alexia Eddowes (Acting Co-Presidents)
• Boarders Parents’ Association (BPA) –
Tracy Jones (President) &
Sheena Turton (Representative)
Term 1 is always a busy period and 2018 was
no exception. The P&F hosted the annual
Sundowner at the Memorial Quadrangle to
welcome parents to a new year – especially
our new parents. It was wonderful to meet
and catch up with so many families at
the function. The event was buzzing with
excitement and the anticipation of the year
ahead.
A big thank you to the Preparatory
and Senior School Liaison Parents (LPs),
particularly the co-ordinators Lisa Derrick and
Elsie Vallelonga-Silvestri for their wonderful
work to welcome students and families to
the school.
The P&F is a ‘federation’ of Committees
that work towards the strategy of bringing
together and strengthening the Guildford
Grammar School community, primarily
through social events and provision of
support such as welcoming new families. The
P&F Society includes: Friends of Preparatory
School (FOPS); Friends of Senior School
(FOSS); and the Boarders Parents’ Association
(BPA). Committee members include an Arts
representative to help promote Art (Music,
Drama, Debating, Fine Arts) within the
school community as well as Senior and
Preparatory School representatives. The
parent school representatives have direct
access to the Heads of the School and are
your point of contact for issues or questions
that might include such issues as sports
policy, good ideas on school improvements
(facilities, curricular), or uniform and
discipline questions. Please also note that
parents are encouraged to raise concerns or
issues with their student’s Preparatory School
classroom teacher or Senior School Mentor
in the first instance, followed by Deputy
Head of Preparatory School or their child’s
Head of House in the Senior School.
Term 1 2018 Events
The P&F has hosted a number of welcome
and community events during Term 1 in
addition to providing catering support to
the Preparatory School Swimming Carnival.
The Family Welcome BBQ was a fantastic
success, attended by around 300 members
of the community. Families enjoyed great
food prepared by FOPS & FOSS volunteers
and music was provided by the talented
Mitch Thomas. There was ice cream and
coffee on offer by Sweets on the Run and
the children enjoyed a monster inflatable
waterslide and obstacle course despite the
challenging wind and cold weather!
Our Mothers and all those mothering our
children were celebrated at the P&F Mothers’
Day morning tea on Friday 11 May with a
picnic style morning tea in the Naturescape
area within the Preparatory School.
The Preparatory School choir performance,
led by Dr Saxby, was an absolute treat.
The P&F is grateful to the teaching staff
for affording the mothers the opportunity
of seeing their children in their classrooms
where they were able to celebrate their work
together.
Morning tea was followed by a luncheon
at Pinelli’s Winery. One hundred mothers
from across the school community enjoyed
a 3-course-meal, wine tasting and live
entertainment by Adrian Wilson. A highlight
of the day was the keynote speaker,
Deputy Head of Preparatory School –
Mr Roger Budler – who left not a dry eye
in the house with his tribute to his own
mother and the many mothers he has met at
Guildford Grammar School. It was wonderful
to see mothers from all year groups, boarders
and also from MOGS (Mothers of Old
Guildfordians). Many thanks to Father Philip
for his support and to Alison Carroll for
being our MC for the event and ensuring
everything ran smoothly.
A special reminder that none of this would
be possible without the tireless dedication
of our FOSS, FOPS and BPA committee
members and LP parents. A lot of work
happens behind the scenes to enable our
events to continue and support the school
and community. A big thank you to you all.
Craig Madden (President P&F)
Sheri-lee Knoop-Bender
(Acting Co-President FOPS)
Nada Edwards (President FOSS)
May 2018
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