Wow what a magnificent day!! Our 2011 Gala was just stunning – the weather, the crowds, the smiles and laughter it was everything we had hoped for and more. Above all it was an outstanding reflection of all that makes our Victoria Avenue School community so very special.

I wish to acknowledge the Gala committee in particular for their magnificent achievement in staging such a successful and professional event. At the time of writing this newsletter I am unable to confirm the financial success of the day other than to state that initial calculations predict that we are likely to have exceeded the total raised in our first Gala back in 2009.

Parents are often keen to know just how their fundraising makes a difference at school. Well in addition to contributing to our normal operating expenses, as all fundraising must in our school, this year the success of the Gala will enable the Board of Trustees to tackle several items on their wish list. I have already made you aware that after the renovations of Rooms 8-10 this summer our first job would be to create the decking areas above the forest boardwalk. This project has started and we are hoping to have them open ready for use by the Junior School after Easter. This week had also seen electricians commencing the project to put a new sound system into our school hall. The completion of the final stage of the Room 11-14 project, erecting shading over the outside area between the two buildings, is now achievable – allowing this outdoor area to be used by children all year round. Your efforts last weekend will ensure that we will have the necessary funds to now complete this ambition.
 

Having had 13-16 hour days at school this past weekend there can be no doubt as to the commitment of those involved. If you take a moment to reflect on the organization of each individual section of the Gala you will begin to comprehend just how much time, effort and attention to detail has been expended over the last six months or more. And it was not just children, staff and parents who helped us but also aunts and uncles, grandparents, friends and members of the local community who all played their part too.

Having a school fully operational the day after the Gala, other than the hall being out of action due to the need to store borrowed and hired items overnight, is a remarkable achievement well done to all involved in the clean up operation!

I can confirm that there have been lots of tired bodies this week but a never-ending series of smiles and stories as children, staff and parents share their accounts of a wonderful day!! “Thank you” seems somehow inadequate but nevertheless THANK YOU very much to all involved for what they achieved.

Kind regards

Allan Short
Principal

Flippaball
Flippaball is a great game and at VAS we have a long association entering teams in the local league. At present we run a Year 3/4 team and a Year 5/6 team who both play at Sacred Heart College on a Sunday afternoon.

Chris Simmons (one of our parents) is working out the team options for next term and is keen to hear from any new interested players. He says "We currently have a good group of kids in the Year 3/4 squad - a few too many with the enthusiastic siblings from Year 2 (but keen to build all these kids). We really need a few more kids at this level in order to enter two teams in this grade - it is just very hard if you have each team running on the bare minimum. So we are open to any more children out of Year 2/3/4. At this stage we have a good size squad for the Year 5/6 and I know that we have one more boy coming back now that he is off cricket duties"

If you have a child Year 2 or above who is keen to get involved in Flippaball please contact Chris via email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or on his mobile 021 665 887

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