QMC Parents’ Association

Kia ora, e te whānau _ parents, caregivers and families of Queen Margaret College

Once again, the latter half of 2021 has provided the Parents’ Association with opportunities to think quickly on our feet! We have seen a number of our calendar events postponed, but this has not diminished our intent on bringing our community together. The Parents’ Association has always been about connecting our parent community; we continue to look at new opportunities to provide a social and enjoyable way for families to be involved and participate.

Since 2018, the Parents’ Association has facilitated the sale of secondhand uniforms. The funds raised from the sales during the year help to facilitate projects that benefit current students. We welcome good quality uniforms to be sold on behalf of parents. Parents receive a return of 70% of the purchase price for any items sold, whilst we retain 30% commission. If you would like to provide any uniform items for sale, please email secondhanduniform@ qmc.school.nz.

We were delighted to celebrate Matariki for the whole school in June. It is a time to come together with friends, whānau, and communities. It’s about eating, reflecting, having fun, and looking forward to the year ahead. In the Hall, long tables were set with lights to represent the bright stars of Matariki and harakeke. 230 Students and staff enjoyed the hangi, whilst Te Whānau o Kuini Makareta performed and provided interactive activities for students to participate in. It was a huge success, and the Parents’ Association is grateful to CJS Hangi, Whaea Ra, Te Whānau o Kuini Makareta and the many helpers on the day.

After a false start due to an unexpected snap lockdown in August, the Parents’ Associated hosted another fun-filled Quiz Night. Without a doubt, our most successful yet with 16 teams participating in a the hall. “Mrs C”, our Quiz Master, set the platform for what was a competitive but humour-filled evening, and we could not be more grateful to Lynda and her merry band of helpers who ran a tight ship and kept us all entertained. Congratulations to the winners on the night, a team aptly named “Low Expectations” (Lynda Lester, Sarah Wales, Sarah Burke, Dean Burke, Caroline Carter, Tracey Ramanathan, Jane Roberts and Shaun Roberts). The total amount raised was in excess of $5,700, which included the ever-popular Silent Auctions. A huge thank you to all of our Sponsors and The Old Girls’ Association, who generously supported the Quiz Night. Lastly, we must thank the Parents’ Association Committee for the many hours spent organising the event, especially Nicky Jackson, Jill Clibborn and Lynda Lester. Term 3 and the start of Term 4 has hindered our ability to finish the school year with our usual flurry of events for students and the parent community. Thankfully, we continue to provide financial support for the QMC Sports Awards and the QMC Arts Awards. These significant events celebrate the breadth of success amongst our students; it is a real honour for the Parents’ Association to continue to support students who are celebrated at these awards ceremonies. We congratulate every student recognised at these two events.

The annual QMC Golf Day at Shandon Golf Club has been rescheduled to be hosted on Friday, 4 February 2022. Thank you to all golfers, sponsors and supporters of this postponed event; we are forever grateful for your generosity in support of our fundraising efforts and welcome any new golfer registrations or businesses’ that would like to be involved in February 2022. Please contact us at qmcpapresident@qmc.school.nz

Your support means so much to us! We are already in the throes of planning for a busy 2022, and our small committee always appreciates any support.

If you wish to donate any time to assist us with our planning and activities, please do not hesitate to contact the committee on qmcpapresident@qmc.school.nz.

Nga mihi,

Alana Bicknell QMCPA President