Sunshine, candy floss and a pony named Freddie

Each year the members of the Parents and Friends Association seem to outdo themselves when it comes to organising and running a successful fete. 2016 was no exception. This year saw a changing of the guard with a new fete convenor, Sandy Guy, and she led a wonderful team. The PFA is chaired by Julie-Ann Ross and is responsible for fundraising and feeding the funds back into the College for the benefit of the students. This year’s big project for the fete is providing lighting for the College sports field.

The ‘Johnnies fete’ is known locally to be a special event, and brings in regulars from within, and beyond, the city’s boundaries. Old boys of the College were out in force this year, taking the opportunity to cruise their former stomping grounds. As always, the Gilray block had people queuing up to get their hands on bargains - be they books, white elephant, sporting goods or clothing. The silent auction is the big earner for the fete and this year we had some very special items: glam camping at Deer Park Heights, skiing at Coronet Peak, a family hunting package, and inflatable paddle boards. The food on offer seems to get better every year and punters could enjoy havoc ham off the bone, hamburgers, pikelets with jam and cream, hot chips, curly potato sticks, candy floss, and all manner of sweet treats.

The quad was pumping with students providing the musical atmosphere. Miss Rapson, Mr Clark, and Mr Knights were all good sports and took their turns being dunked by enthusiastic students; somehow Mr Jones managed to avoid this fate. Mr Marshall’s class had lots of fun with the big bubbles, and they looked incredible. The range of activities on offer and run by form classes are always varied and this year included, Lazer Force, face painting, gumboot throwing, soaking students with water balloons, a human fruit machine, horizontal bungee, nerf shot, and even pony rides. 

Special thanks and a huge cheer must go to Sandy and her team: Jacinta Grey, ‘the food queen;’ Tracey Byers, Julie Davies and Marianne Hannagan for their hours of sorting; and to Jenny Soper, Pen Edmund, Sandra McHenry, and Tania Hatton for their efforts with sourcing donated items. The PFA and the College would like to thank the stall convenors and volunteers, the businesses and individuals who donated items to the silent auction, the chocolate wheel, the raffle and the food items for the cafe and stalls. Of course, thanks is also due to the staff and the boys.

The PFA do fantastic work for the College and enable students and teachers to do things that might not be possible otherwise, through their efforts. This year, the PFA funded the installation of the new audiovisual equipment in the Chapel in 2016 , and this has changed the nature of our assemblies and chapel services. In regards to enriching the learning experiences of students, the PFA funds sporting, curriculum and experiences outside the classroom across a range of subjects and interests. In 2016, this includes funding sets of tools for our Gateway students, assistance with travel to Wellington to visit the New Zealand Holocaust Centre for year 13 history students, costumes and props for drama students, care packages for the year 13 cohort as they transition on from school, fitness equipment for the fitness room, languages week, and the Year 10 Arts Week programme happening in Term 4.