The Geelong College Parents’ Associations

Images: 1. Representatives of the SSPA Committee; 2.Year 12 students at the Valedictory Cocktail Party; 3. Sondra Wood and Sara Selvaraju, PSPA President

Our parent volunteer groups have had another challenging year with COVID-19 lockdowns and density quotas limiting the opportunities to meet on the College campus or run events.

KAY TAIT (SSPA) & SARA SELVARAJU (PSPA)

During 2021, our volunteer parent associations have continued to support the College and the student experience with a number of fundraising and friend raising opportunities. The second half of the year presented a few challenges with Covid lockdowns and density quotas limiting the opportunities to meet on the College campus or run events. The monthly Prep and Senior School Parent Association meetings reverted back to online during the numerous lockdowns and the stop start nature of each term.

However, there still have been opportunities for fundraising where the PSPA were able to hold their annual Easter Egg raffle, a Father’s Day raffle and the Mother’s Day stall which was very well received by the students across Junior and Middle school. A conscious approach has been to source products regionally and to support local businesses. raffles and events. Monies raised contribute to student experiences across the school.

The SSPA donated to the 88 Keys project to support the College’s purchase of a Steinway Model D piano to become a Steinway Select school to enhance the music program. A masterclass was given to students from the Junior, Middle and Senior schools on 18 November where they had an opportunity to work with acclaimed concerto soloist and chamber musician, Kristian Chong. The SSPA/PSPA Gala Winter ball was scheduled for July to celebrate the 160th anniversary of The Geelong College and 100 years of the Preparatory School. Remarkably, all 550 tickets were sold within a few days. This black-tie event will now be reimagined and has been postponed until Saturday 30 April 2022. The SSPA also contributed to a range of goodies and products in ‘care packs’ which were greatly appreciated by the Year 12 students with a ‘Drive and Collect’ service at the Junior School near the end of Term 3. It also included their Year 12 jumpers and practice exam papers. Following a relaxing of restrictions, our Year 12 parents and students were finally able to get together for a Valedictory Cocktail Party at 1915, Federal Mills, to celebrate the end of their College journey and the start of new adventures. Thank you to all parents across the school, and in particular, to our volunteers. We look forward to coming together in 2022 and wish you and your families a happy Christmas.

Boarding Parents’ Support Group

A big thank you to Pip Norton who as a Year 12 parent steps down as President of the Boarding Parents’ Support Group and we welcome Denise McLellan as the new President for 2022.