We’re excited to announce the winners in the North Shore Mums ‘First Day of School’ photo competition, who will each receive $500 for their school fundraising account from The Fundry. We were lucky to grab a few words with the proud parents, to get their take on the competition. And with no further ado, we are pleased to announce…
Charlotte from St Lucy’s Wahroonga (Small school category, under 600 students)
We spoke to Charlotte’s mum Viv about what winning $500 means for her school.
Charlotte, St Lucy’s Special Needs School
What was your reaction to the big win?
I actually teared up and felt very grateful to all the lovely people (many of whom I did not know) who took the time to vote for St Lucy’s school. And I was thankful for NSM and The Fundry for having the competition in the first place.
What did you say?
Yah, thank you. It means so much for our school to get funds. We spend a lot of time and effort raising much needed funds for our school. Naturally it made my day, but especially as Charli had a bad night last night and was up coughing and we have spent the morning out at Westmead getting tests done, as she has both Autism and Cystic Fibrosis.
What do you love about your school?
The lovely caring teachers and our wonderful community.
What would you like to see the $500 spent on?
Installing and maintaining disinfectant hand pumps around the school and in key entry areas as many of the kids in the school have immunity issues and have a comorbidity (as in additional diseases or disorders co-occurring within the same child). And you cannot always get to a tap to wash your hands when working with kids. This makes germ spreading and flu season particularly bad. So perhaps tissue stations and hand pumps in strategic places – as in up high so the kids can’t reach them but teachers and carers can.
How will the plans change the lives of kids at your school?
They can stay healthy and well for longer and therefore miss fewer days off school. For Charlotte in particular – every time she gets a cold that turns into a bacterial infection she incurs irreversable lung damage in the way of scar tissue which causes a decrease in oxygen capacity and in the long term lung failure.
Any other comments?
We also need more money to invest more money into training more volunteers in our very successful multi-lit reading program. Our kids needs one on one attention and help to be able to learn to read. Many volunteers come in everyday to our school and sit with the kids and teach them to read on a one on one basis. Places are limited on the program as training costs money and their can be a high turnover of volunteers. Literacy changes all lives!
I would also love it if we could put in place a toilet training program so that every child in the school who is physically able is helped and their parents are supported through the very important toilet training process. If your child is toilet trained they can access the outside world and isolation is less of an issue. Isolation can lead to depression for both the carer and the person with the disability.
Sofia from North Sydney Demonstration School (Big school category, over 600 students)
Sofia, North Sydney Demonstration School
We had five minutes with Sofia’s mum Elena to chat about the prize….
What was your reaction to the big win?
I shared the news straightaway with hubby and we were thrilled! Very happy that Sofia won.
What did you say?
We won!! Just very quietly though as I was at the office!
What do you love about your school?
Everyone makes you feel welcome, excellent attitude at all times, kids feel secure and happy. We love the outdoor areas where the kids can spend lots of time playing and exploring. We’ve only been at school for a couple weeks but since the first day of Kindy Sofia was very happy and excited to go to Big School every day, she loves teachers and all her new friends.
What would you like to see the $500 spent on?
There are so many things we can do to improve our kids wellbeing at school! From new programs and resources, sports and play equipment to infrastructure improvements. I’d also really love them to have air conditioning in the classroom too! Every dollar count towards these goals.
About our sponsor, The Fundry
The Fundry is a new ticketing website that allows parents to fundraise for their school or club simply through buying tickets to awesome shows happening around Sydney, where a commission from ticket sales goes back to the school (up to $3 from each ticket). It sure beats baking cakes or selling chocolates to the neighbours to raise money! To ensure the funds go to your chosen school or club, simply register with The Fundry today.
