23 May 2025

It's been a week of it! Last Thursday we had the initial Fair Meeting. I don't believe as many positions have ever been filled as early in the year as this one! There was great energy and contributions from new faces around the room too. We especially applaud Jess and Megan who will be co-leading this year's Fair. You will be hearing much more about this as the weeks trickle by.

Hot on the heels, three days later all of our staff (some partners!) and approx 30 parents and children walked through those gates on a not so charming Sunday morning in terms of the weather - but that didn't put us off. We have GRIT! In two hours we managed to move a huge pile of bark, sand and dirt. We washed buildings, we pruned, we weeded, we blew leaves, we filled planters, we raked, we swept... and then we rested! 

It made me think about the satisfaction you can feel when people come together to work on a common goal. We had this on Thursday, Sunday and then Monday at the Board meeting.

We are so fortunate to have this momentum, this energy and support, at our place. People positively contribute in many different and varied ways and the children reap the rewards.

Research consistently shows that strong school communities significantly benefit children's development. In a nutshell students who feel connected to the community achieve better social/emotional/academic outcomes, are more motivated to learn and are able to accept greater challenges. I guess that all makes sense.

Then there is the science of contribution, that is an arm on our Flourish model. So it's good for the collective and also the individual. Professor Martin Seligman's research, amongst many others, has identified that meaningful contribution is a key element of wellbeing.

So to all of those at the Fair meeting, the Working Bee, and our Board members... you had an opportunity to support others and yourselves! I'm sure we can all agree on the satisfaction we felt after making a positive difference. Thank you.

Plus let's face it -  it would have also been very annoying for all of us to keep the piles in the driveway for days on end so thanks for getting stuck in folks!

In the meantime diary Sunday 9 November for this year's SCHOOL FAIR. It will be here before we know it.  

Thanks for giving. There will be more opportunities on the horizon!

In appreciation