Inside this Issue - Redeemer Lutheran College

Parents and Friends Association
As we look back over the year and reflect on what the P & F
Association has achieved in 2011, one recalls the faces of many
parents and the many friendships that have grown as we work
together building the community of Redeemer. History may judge
this year as a ‘watershed’ year in the life of the association.
This was the year that we decided to hand over the P & F businesses
to the college. This was the year when a small group of parents
organised the biggest and best Redeemer Fair yet! It was also
the year of many smaller achievements which cumulate into the
rounding off of an era for the association and lays the ground
work for the birthing of a Parents and Friends Association that
will be relevant and purposeful in the life of the college in the
years to come.
Establishing and running the Tuckshop and Uniform Shop has been
an outstanding achievement for the P & F Association. It firstly
represents the recognition of a need to provide these services and
then the capacity and will of volunteers to operate them. Both
these businesses have grown to a point where they have outgrown
the previous operating model and the changes in legislation have
made this move both necessary and prudent. The P & F Association
will continue to have input into the distribution of the profits,
thanks to the generous recognition of the College Council of the
part we have played in creating these businesses. We can have
tremendous pride in what we and past parents have achieved as
we hand over to the college two well established businesses staffed
by exceptional people whose heart is to service our community.
A short summary of some of our main contributions to the
college are these. We continue to purchase the bibles for the
year 12 students and make a sizable donation to the printing and
postage of Redeemer Record, an important marketing tool for our
college. Supporters groups continue to grow with Music, Rugby
and Redeemer Mums being the most active, and this year saw
the addition of the Netball group. We have given $100,000 for air
conditioning and refurbishment of the Junior and Middle Schools,
bought a piano for the Multi-Purpose Centre and helped to fit out
the new building with funds of approximately $100,000. Many
smaller, yet equally valuable donations for things like trolleys,
books, track lighting and a fridge. Where possible and when
there is a need, we have tried to respond to that need with the
financial support required.
The Redeemer Fair and Springboard have become showcase
events in the life of the college. Our Fair Convenor, Natalie Pashen
and her team have grown the fair into a truly anticipated event
not only within our college but also in the wider community.
People see our families helping each other, enjoying each other
as they mooch around the various stalls and rides. People see
the showcase of our talented arts and technology students and
recognise the work they and their teachers have put into this
fantastic yearly presentation. People see our music department
present group after group of disciplined, well trained musicians
sing and play music of the highest standard. People see our
beautiful grounds and college shown off to great effect.
People see the partnerships that exist in our college community.
The Junior School not only contributes to the array of stalls on
offer, each class presents a polished performance to the delight
of their parents, family and friends. These performances display
the effort our teachers are willing to make for the students to be
part of the fair. Students and teachers from Middle and Senior
Schools organise and man stalls all day. This demonstrates the
strong sense of community within our college. People also see
Our Saviours congregation being an integral part of the whole
picture that is Redeemer. The Fair is much more then a fund
raising event. It is truly a community event and again, one that the
P & F Association can be very proud.
While it is with some disappointment that we could not effect
a new constitution this year to take the association forward
into this new era, given the commitment of parents and college
administration, we can be sure that the association will continue
to be the hub around which supporters groups exist, projects are
achieved and events take shape. Next year we may look a little
different and have a lot less to worry about, while we allow the
process of reinventing our association to evolve. We can be sure
that the Redeemer P & F Association will always be at the centre
of our Redeemer community.
Mrs Caroline Ryan
President
2011 | REDEEMER ANNUAL REPORT | 5