ST MARY’S AUXILIARY
A
fter what felt like a false start to the 2021 school year, with a brief COVID-caused lockdown, the spirit to remain connected and contribute as a community continues to thrive at St Mary’s.
It is an honor to represent the St Mary’s Auxiliary and continue the work of the many parents before me who have endeavoured to create a genuine community spirit, support our girls' musical journeys, and provide a voice for St Mary’s families. Today, the St Mary’s Auxiliary provides several annual music bursaries and Speech Night memorial awards, and supports special school projects through various fundraising initiatives. This legacy, coupled with our parents’ desire to foster connections within their daughters’ year groups and the wider School community, is unique and inspiring. It is here, at this organic level, that the St Mary's spirit thrives. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the St Mary's Executive, Auxiliary Committee and 2021 Class Representatives for their ongoing support and making the St Mary's Auxiliary a pleasure to be a part of. We dived into our 2021 fundraising initiatives at the Junior School Swimming Carnival in Term 1. Our Year 4 families provided a bounty of snacks for spectators and staff, while our Year 6 parents distributed Subway lunch orders to hungry competitors after the carnival. Together, they raised more than $1000 for the St Mary’s Auxiliary. Towards the end of Term 1, we partnered with Brumby’s Doubleview to sell hot cross buns and raised more than $600 for the Auxiliary. Thank you to Matt Fong and the parents who helped distribute the hot cross buns. The St Mary's Auxiliary was also happy to host our Junior School parents in the Junior School staffroom following their daughters’ assembly item. This was a fantastic opportunity for parents, who are the heart of the Auxiliary, to informally build relationships, invest in their friendships and develop a rapport with teaching staff. We look forward to hosting upcoming year groups later in the year. We were also thrilled to hold our annual Cancer Council Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, albeit in the afternoon, on 18 June, which was partially subsidised by St Mary’s. Eighty guests and staff gathered in the Polson Room to enjoy delicious treats and refreshments prepared by our amazing boarding house staff, Chef Eric and Deb Jarman. Our charitable attendees, who helped raise more than $2000 for the Cancer Council, were also treated to a performance of the Beatles’ hit, Here Comes the Sun, by our Year 4.1 students; an engaging presentation from Cancer Council WA Fundraising Coordinator, Seiko Humble; and an inspiring address from Emma Milner, a 2020 award-winning fundraiser, who highlighted how fundraising initiatives aid the fight against cancer right here in Western Australia. Please keep your eyes peeled for information about our Centenary St Mary's Auxiliary Lunch. It promises to be filled with fashion, food, raffles and plenty of fun! I am excited for the upcoming celebrations and hope you enjoy the social events that your fantastic Class Representatives have organised for your year groups. Yasmin Baskerville President
34 FIDELITER St Mary's Auxiliary
