Forward December 2015 | Page 56

COMMUNITY Friends of the Preparatory School (FOPS) The FOPS committee held its annual disco in August. The event was extremely well supported by the children, who enjoyed the Wild West themed event hosted by Bop ‘til you Drop. The disco sub-committee outdid themselves with fantastic decorations, food and glow products on offer. The FOPS committee has, as always, been very busy in Term 3 this year. The committee has been kept busy supporting cross country and athletics carnivals as well as the largest Rugby Sevens competition ever. Some 1000 meals were served over the course of a very busy day, with refined precision. We enjoyed a beautiful sunny day, record raffle sales with fantastic prizes, and a visit from Western Force players who answered questions, signed autographs and helped with giving out prizes. It was wonderful to share in the success of the Guildford Grammar School team on the day and to showcase our school and our community. Events like Rugby Sevens and all other FOPS events could not occur without team work. The FOPS committee is a hardworking team that work together to plan and execute a busy event calendar each year, but I would like to draw your attention to our extended teams. The Liaison Parents assist FOPS in our communication with parents, spread our positive enthusiasm and promote a sense of inclusive community. Our Liaison 56 Parents are often volunteering to help at events. Our other important group is our team of volunteers. These people selflessly donate their time to help at all FOPS events. Without you all we could not achieve what we do each year for the community. Thank you for being part of our team and for consistently being supportive. It is always at this time of year, with sadness, that we see a number of significant and consistently generous parents leave the Preparatory School as their children finish their junior schooling. These people have held many offices over the years including being on the FOPS committee, as Liaison Parents and as volunteers. Thank you and farewell to Denise Harding, Andrea Morris, Jonathan Morris, Lani Retter, Justine Hodgins, John Hutton, Kym Sauzier, Louise King and Mel Hyams. We thank you for your years of service and wish you well on your next parent journey. Mrs Sheri-Lee Knoop-Bender FOPS President