Parent Associations

Firbank Rowing Committee

After two COVID-interrupted seasons, it was wonderful for the Firbank rowing community to be able to complete the season and embrace our new rowers and parents.

It was very satisfying to have unrestricted spectators and hold not only the season opener but also squad/parent BBQs, host the Firbank Regatta, all our HOSG functions and the Rowing Presentation Evening.

The rowers delivered fantastic results over the season with not just wins and PBs, but by overcoming challenges and giving their best. Highlights are our Senior Div 3 Quad and Junior Sculler winning HOSG and sending our Senior 8 and Inter Div 1 Quad to Nationals.

Another outstanding achievement for the coaches and the program was four of our baby Senior rowers being selected in the Pathways 8 program to represent Victoria in Canberra where they won the final.

We are very excited to see what the coming season brings!

Rowena Scott

Firbank Rowing Committee President

SHPA

Despite the uncertainty at the start of the year as to how 2022 would unfold, we have been so fortunate to see a return to normality again. Events such as the Welcome Picnic, Mother’s Day and the Election Day Sausage Sizzle have all gone ahead successfully and been enjoyed by many in our Sandringham House community.

We had a gorgeous sunny day for the bi-annual Firbank Sandringham House Bayside Community Twilight Fair,

and there was a great energy with so many people coming together and enjoying everything that was on offer. The event provided laughter and joy to the wider local community after what had been a very challenging couple of years. We thank the School for all their support and encouragement to persevere with the event, in what were very complex and uncertain times for event planning and where many other Bayside schools cancelled their fairs.

Another highlight this year has been the reopening of the Tuck Shop, and the children couldn’t be more excited! We have purchased a coffee machine which brightens the mornings for parents who are doing drop offs and teachers arriving at school a couple of days a week and will be a valuable asset for events such as Father’s Day and Mother’s Day.

Our Parents’ Night with a 007 James Bond theme was a huge success, held at the Brighton Baths, together with parents from Turner House.

Book Week went smoothly, along with our Book Fair in partnership with Ulysses, the local book shop in Hampton (previously in Sandringham). Father’s Day Breakfast and golf plans went ahead as planned. We were delighted to celebrate Kids Day in Term 4, a celebration for the children at Sandringham House. Finally, our production of Beauty and the Beast Jr was a standout this year – well done to all involved for putting on such a wonderful show.

Thank you to everyone who volunteered to help during the year; from the Mothers’ Day Breakfast to the Movie Night and everything in between. A huge thank you to all our volunteers at the fair. The fair is completely volunteer run and everyone at Sandringham House gave a little time to make the event a success. Every volunteer contribution to our community helps bring us together.

We have donated funds toward the Nature Playspace on the edge of the oval, and this has been completed over a number of phases. SHPA has also donated funds for the completion of the Curiosity Centre garden which includes fruit trees and new garden beds for growing edible plants just outside where the children will learn to cook with them.

Congratulations to everyone at Sandringham House for being shortlisted for the Primary School of the Year – Non-Government category in the Australian Education Awards for 2022. This was an incredible achievement, and we know how talented and dedicated the teachers and supporting staff are here – we are grateful to be part of such an amazing little school.

Nina Nolle

SHPA President

PATH

PATH has had a wonderful year of activities and events and it has been great to see the PATH community together and back to a new normal. We began the year with welcome drinks, followed by an Easter Picnic, Mother’s Day coffee cart and Father’s Day breakfast, supported the Year 6 musical and launched our very popular dumpling evening. In October, we also celebrated and thanked our wonderful teacher community on Teacher Appreciation Day. Our endof-term pizza lunches were a welcomed treat that was enjoyed by students and staff this year as it is every year. It’s with great excitement that we finish the year with the PATH Christmas picnic, with carols, a Christmas stall, sausage sizzle and a visit by Santa.

We have thoroughly enjoyed being able to host events to bring the parents, teachers and students together and look forward to another year of creating many happy moments and opportunities to connect as a community.

As presidents, Candice and Anna would like to thank the PATH committee and PATH helpers for their tireless efforts, personal contributions and energy in supporting this wonderful community.

Anna will be stepping down as president at the end of 2022. After a decade at Turner House and two daughters, Priscilla and Chloe, passing through the School from ELC to Year 6, it is time to step down. Anna is eternally grateful to the Turner House community, staff, students and parents for a truly wonderful experience at Junior School, “these foundation years of primary school have established a firm base for our girls to continue to flourish at the Firbank Senior School, thank you Turner house”.

Anna Beynon and Candace Newport

PATH Co-Presidents

Friends of Dance and Dramatic Arts (FODDA)

FODDA has enjoyed a busy year in 2022, which kicked off with the inaugural Year 8 and 9 production of Alice Dreaming with Brighton Grammar at the end of first term. Enormous credit goes to the cast and crew for putting on such a wonderful performance after two years of virtually no performing. Congratulations to Merryn Anstee, Naomi Fogliani, Lillian Direen for their vision and leadership in creating this opportunity for the students and all involved staging such a wonderful production.

August 2022 was an exceptionally busy time for FODDA and for all in the Drama and Dance Departments. The month began with the Performing Arts Winter Festival consisting of Dance Night and Drama Night. Both evenings involved over 100 Firbank students and were a testament to months of hard work by all students and by the drama and dance teachers: Merryn Anstee, Lillian Direen and Naomi Fogliani. Congratulations also to Charlotte Anson the 2022 Dance Captain and Daisy Paxton-White the 2022 Drama Captain for all their hard work. FODDA donated funds which were put toward dance costumes that were on display and which will be used in future performances and competitions.

Also in August, FODDA assisted with the Year 7–9 musical Seussical. FODDA arranged meals for the students during rehearsals and on the nights of the performance as well as selling drinks and food during the performances.

Suessical was a joyous and uplifting musical that showcased the talents of approximately 150 students from Firbank and BGS in the cast and crew. Congratulations to Merryn Anstee, Lillian Direen, Naomi Fogliani, Josh Direen and Jenny Vincent-Green on three magical nights.

FODDA would like to thank all the volunteers who have put in so much hard work during 2022 and to Madison Grange and Sybil Curtis for all their support.

FODDA would also like to thank Nikki Bowers, who was Co-President of FODDA during 2021, and Joanna Stuart whose daughters completed Year 12. We thank Nikki and Jo for their many years on FODDA and for their support of Performing Arts at Firbank.

We are looking forward to another exciting year of Dance and Drama in 2023.

Danielle Williamson and Milena Ickeringill

FODDA Co-President and Secretary 2022

Friends of Music

2022 has been an exciting year for Friends of Music. After the lockdowns of 2021, in Term 1 a very successful Twilight Jazz performance was staged featuring students from all ensembles in the school, both instrumental and vocal.

The attendance at Twilight Jazz was beyond expectations with students, parents and teachers relishing the opportunity to hear live music again. The CCA was full of proud parents and teachers. It was a joyful event that reminded us all of why we love music and why the students devote the hours of time developing the skills that we saw on display. Congratulations to Simon Marsden, Philippa Jones, Christine Smillie and all the vocal and instrumental teachers who contributed to such a wonderful event. Many thanks to all the volunteers on the night, to Sarah Saunders for her dedication to the Music Department and to the Firbank events and catering staff for their assistance.

FoM would like to thank Fiona Thomas who was Co-President of FoM during 2021, whose daughter completed Year 12. We thank Fiona not only for her leadership in 2021, but for her many years on the FoM Committee in different capacities. Fiona’s calm and steady leadership will always be remembered as well as her tireless commitment to the Music Department and the School. Her generosity of time and spirit are much appreciated.

We look forward to a successful and eventful 2023.

Andrea Raper and Milena Ickeringill Friends of Music Co-Presidents 2022