2005 thank-you morning tea: 16th December

The ‘Thank you Morning Tea’ is an occasion for the members of the staff of Campbells Bay School to thank the many, many people who work in partnership with the school to add value to the programmes that we offer our students.

The Oxford Dictionary defines ‘thank you’ as an expression of gratitude. An expression of gratitude doesn’t seem to be quite enough somehow, when it comes to convey our deep appreciation for the many tasks that are undertaken on a voluntary capacity throughout the year.

The school is governed by the Board of Trustees who have legal responsibility to crown for the school site and for the hundreds of regulations the school is legally bound to comply with. Thank you to the current Board for continuing to provide excellent leadership and support during the year.

As a school we are extremely fortunate to have the services of an extremely energetic and effective Parent Teacher Association. This year the PTA has raised tens of thousands of dollars. The PTA has also played an important role in the social aspects of the school, providing a wonderful opportunity for the school to get together at the Christmas Carols.

The PTA also organised the golf tournament, the tennis tournament, the Brain Game, donuts days, sausage sizzles, Entertainment Books and the calendars, amongst other events. Thank you to our members of the PTA who have been such a fantastic team this year. This year the PTA raised $55,000. This is a brilliant achievement.

I know how very much our teachers appreciate the willingness of parents/caregivers and supporters of the school to assist in so many ways.

Examples are numerous and include helping in classrooms, whether this is working with children or making or organising resources whether it is helping with school trips.

We appreciate all the work that is done in the support of sport for students.

The amount of time and energy that is put into these aspects of our student’s lives is phenomenal. Waterwise is a great case in point. This programme simply could not exist without the dedication of a core of outstanding volunteers.

There are so many ways you help the school. Although it hasn’t always been easy, the Lunchroom has continued. It is a mark of champions that they simply ‘dig deep’ when the going gets tough. Well, the going has been a bit tough with volunteers sometimes being a bit thin on the ground. However, not only has the Lunchroom thrived, it promises to move to another level next year, thanks to the champions who provide such energetic leadership.

Last night our year six students graduated at a ceremony in the hall. The ceremony was an excellent example of partnership between home and school with parents helping with the ceremony in many ways. Successful schools are built on the foundation of partnerships.

Today we are here to acknowledge the partnership that exists between Campbells Bay School and our many, many helpers.

Oscar Wilde said, “Nowadays people know the price of everything and the value of nothing.”

Well, standing before us today, I can truthfully say that we have assembled people who know the value of everything.

Thank you for your support of Campbells Bay School. To those of you who are leaving the school, we thank you and bid you farewell and trust that you will remember you association with our school with fondness. To those of you who are returning, we look forward to seeing you back in ‘partnership mode’ next year.

On behalf of the staff, I extend to you all our sincere thanks and our very best wishes for a relaxed, safe and enjoyable holiday break. Take care.

Finally, it is a bit of a paradox when the thank you morning tea for the school is actually organised by parent volunteers. I am pleased to acknowledge the superb support Weibka Gailer has received when organising this morning tea from Katrina Ballantyre and Caroline Blackwell. Weibka’s mother made the wonderful sushi that we have all enjoyed this morning.