De La Salle Parents’ Network

We have had an interesting year with an influx of new committee members that have brought a new dimension to the group and youthful enthusiasm. We started the year with a pizza evening to welcome back existing families and to give a big De La welcome to the new families. The feedback from this event was extremely positive and many friendships were established on the night. Our annual Easter Raffle was next and after a slow start we ended up with our biggest donation of chocolates in years. In fact we were all impressed with the 10 kg block of chocolate that was donated by a school family and I think we all secretly dreamed of winning this and having a supply of chocolate that would last longer than a week. Twenty three prizes were handed out and many boys went home with a smile that day. Our big success for the year was our Trivia Night. We raised over $23,000 and the goodwill generated on the evening was invaluable. There were many people who put their skills and valuable time into this event and I would like to express my sincere thanks. I represented the Parents’ Network at a number of functions and meetings this year, the morning tea and welcome to the Year 7 parents at the start of the year, the formal opening of the Tiverton Library and the exciting preparations for the Centenary Celebrations next year. The volunteers are the lifeline of the Network and without their invaluable support we would be at a loss. The events they help out at are numerous and include: preparing and serving at morning teas and lunches, helping at the Kids’ Helpline, providing people power at our Trivia Night for set up and on the night itself, the 2nd hand book sale which takes up a number of days and the many reunions that take place throughout the year. To everyone who has helped out in any capacity I say thank you. I would like to thank our outgoing Vice President and Publicity Officer Marie Birkensleigh and our Treasurer Naresh Subramaniam. To you both I say thank you for a great job. Trish Woodman as usual quietly works away in the background and is the glue that keeps the Network together. Br Paul is an invaluable ally and a huge fund of information and support. I would encourage you to join the Network for 2012, it is a great way to keep tabs on what is happening in the school and to make new friends. My thanks to all. Mrs Virginia Fairchild

Preparing the breakfast for graduating Year 12s