TERM 4 2026 Issue 78 No 4 The Journal of the Federation of Parents & Citizens Associations of NSW
NIT Y U M M CO IMPACT
STORIES OF P&C IMPACT
NSW ANTI-BULLYING FRAMEWORK
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION STRATEGY
Welcome
to our Parent and Citizen Journal
THE P&C FEDERATION is dedicated to representing and supporting P&C Associations and working on behalf of publicschool parents, carers, students, and school communities. To stay up to date with us, subscribe to our fortnightly bulletin. It contains the latest news, events, grants, and information for P&C Associations. Log into our website to subscribe. If you need support in running your P&C Association you can find all of our resources by logging into our website. If you’re still looking for help and support you can call or email us, Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm – we’d love to hear from you.
We’re proud of the great work P&C Associations do throughout NSW public schools. If you have any feedback on the journal or need a resource that doesn’t currently exist, just get in touch and let us know. Enjoy this journal and share it with your school community. CONTRIBUTIONS & FEEDBACK journal@pandc.org.au QUESTIONS & SUPPORT 1300 885 982 mail@pandc.org.au
Welcome New P&Cs! Mallawa Public School
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St Marys North Public School
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Edmondson Park Public School
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Toomelah Public School
SHARE YOUR STORY We love to hear your stories. The Parent & Citizen Journal is published once a term and is a great way to showcase what your P&C Association and school community is up to. If your school, parents or P&C Association is doing something special this year, share your story and photos with us and fellow school communities. Scan the QR code to share.
COVER IMAGE The Crescent School P&C President Josh Proudman, Secretary Tara Dunbar and Vice President Tammi Thrower. Photo taken at their P&C bright-dress upthemed school community disco.
SHARE YOUR STORY
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SNAP PRINT SOLUTIONS Printed with Snap Print Solutions Phillip Street, Parramatta, a certified Sustainable Green Printer. Printed on 100% recycled paper.
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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
President's Message
Issue 78 | No 4 2026
BY DARIN MCLEAN President, Federation of Parents & Citizens Associations of NSW I'm proud to be stepping into the role of President, representing the board, parents and students across primary and high schools in NSW public education. From November 2025 to August 2026, we watched as Kaitlin Serrano led with purpose and dedication. On behalf of the board, we thank Kaitlin for everything she gave to this role. We're part of an incredible, large community, and our combined impact is strong and healthy, even if we're not immune to challenges. We're diverse and respectful, and when we bring our ideas together as a board, our goals take shape. That's when the real magic happens: working together to turn those goals into real outcomes, with the world-class education every student deserves. Community impact, the theme for this edition, is what first drew me to become a Federation Delegate for Western Sydney back in July 2023, and it's carried through into this role. I've seen first-hand how strong P&C teams bring their school community together and work toward shared goals, like the all-inclusive playset we brought to Hobartville Public School, which took grant writing, working with our local MP, and a fair bit of project management. It took some work, but seeing kids of all abilities out there together at lunchtime made it worth every bit of effort.
Our members bring people together in all kinds of ways, and school communities thrive when they partner with other local groups - sometimes a relative or grandparent is part of one of those groups too, which only strengthens the connection. It's this kind of engagement, and the parents and carers who show up for it, that keeps a P&C strong. At our Metro Meetups and Regional Roadshows, we're hearing great stories every day about the work being done across P&Cs, and the areas where we can offer better support. These events bring people from different associations together, and we're there to listen, share ideas, and help P&C's who are doing it tough get back on their feet. We know momentum is hard to build, but once it gets moving, it's hard to stop. I'm looking forward to seeing that growth in P&C membership over the coming years. If you need support, reach out to our office, your electorate Director, or your local Delegate. Just a few days before writing this, our Board met with NSW Teachers Federation President Henry Rajendra, who shared an update on their current work. In turn, our Directors shared stories and views from their local P&Cs. We're still working through what this means for our members, and we look forward to continuing those conversations with Henry as we shape our position on it, in our role as the peak body for P&Cs across NSW. Onwards and upwards - I hope you enjoy this issue.
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BY PRUE CAR Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Term 4 is a time to reflect on the progress our children have made, celebrate their achievements, and prepare for the new adventures that lie ahead. As a parent, I know the anticipation this time of year brings, and I hope you can all find the time to enjoy these moments. I want to acknowledge the work of the P&C Federation in partnership with the NSW Government this year. Parent input always has been and always will be invaluable in shaping the future for our schools. Together, we can continue to build a strong foundation for lifelong learning and success.
The Inspire program ensures high potential and gifted students are identified, and their teachers are equipped to provide opportunities for them to be challenged and to pursue their talents.
MINISTER'S MESSAGE
Minister's Message As 2026 comes to a close, I thank you for everything you do for our school communities, and for your help in strengthening public education. Your efforts have undoubtedly had a profound impact on students across NSW. I wish you a wonderful Term 4.
These foundations start in early childhood, which is why I’m proud that we’re on track to have completed 100 new public preschools by Day 1, Term 1, 2027. This will provide 9,000 additional places, giving more families equitable access to high-quality, fee-free early childhood education close to home. We’ve continued our work on rebuilding public education with the lowest number of teacher vacancies in 12 years. More than 25,000 temporary teachers and school support staff have been made permanent since 2023, providing more stability in our schools. This investment reflects our unwavering commitment to providing every student with the quality education and care they deserve to thrive both inside and outside the classroom. I also believe our classrooms should live up to the ambitions of their students. This is why the NSW Government will invest a record $9.2 billion in school infrastructure over the next 4 years as part of the 2026– 27 NSW Budget, delivering new and upgraded schools to ensure every family has access to a world-class public education, close to home. This historic investment includes $4.1 billion for new and upgraded schools across Western Sydney. All students deserve to be engaged and challenged across the domains of potential – creative, intellectual, physical and social-emotional. I’m grateful for our parents and carers who have played an integral role in bringing the Inspire – high potential and gifted education program into every NSW public school.
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SECRETARY'S MESSAGE
Secretary's Message
Issue 78 | No 4 2026
BY MURAT DIZDAR Secretary, NSW Department of Education As we head into Term 4, there is a wonderful energy across our public schools. Students are preparing for concerts, graduations, exhibitions, celebrations and the many milestones that make the end of a school year so special. At the heart of all of this are the parents, carers and volunteers who give their time, energy and expertise to their school communities. Your contribution is often given quietly, but its impact is anything but small. You help create schools where students feel connected, supported and encouraged to do their best. I want to thank the P&C Federation for its continued advocacy and partnership throughout 2026. P&C Associations are one of the great strengths of public education in NSW. You bring families and schools together, champion the interests of students and help make our schools places where communities come together. This year, I was particularly proud to recognise the recipients of the Public School Parent and Volunteer of the Year awards at the Public Education Awards. It was an honour to present the awards alongside former P&C Federation President Kaitlin Serrano. I thank Kaitlin for her leadership and commitment to public education, and I look forward to working with newly elected President Darin McLean as we continue to strengthen the partnership between the Department, the Federation, schools and families.
The award recipients are a wonderful reminder of what can be achieved when parents, carers, volunteers and schools work together. They have mentored vulnerable students, supported school initiatives, advocated for inclusion, served as role models and helped their communities thrive. They embody something I see every day across our 2,200 public schools: public education is strongest when the whole community takes responsibility for the success of every student. There is much to be proud of in public education this year. We have continued to embed high potential and gifted education across every school and delivered dedicated school development days focused on disability, neurodiversity and inclusive education. We have also continued our work to embed explicit teaching across NSW public schools – giving students greater clarity and consistency in their learning and strengthening the foundations on which future success is built. None of this happens in isolation. The partnership of parents and carers is essential. You know your children better than anyone, and your voice, advocacy and engagement help our schools understand what matters most to their students and communities. As we look towards Term 4, I am also looking forward to seeing our students take centre stage at this year’s Schools Spectacular. It is one of the great celebrations of public education in NSW – showcasing the extraordinary creativity, talent and determination of our students and the dedication of the teachers and staff who support them. Across our schools, there will be concerts, performances, graduations, exhibitions and transition programs – moments that celebrate not just what students have achieved, but how much they have grown. Thank you for choosing public education, for standing alongside our schools and, most importantly, for investing your time and energy in the lives of our students. Our public schools belong to all of us. When families, schools and communities work together, every student has a better chance to excel. I wish you and your families a wonderful Term 4.
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FROM OUR CEO
CEO's Message BY TIM SPENCER Interim CEO, Federation of Parents & Citizens Associations of NSW This month we release the Federation’s Diversity and Inclusion Strategy for 2026–27, and I want to take a moment to tell you what it is and what it will mean for your P&C. The Strategy starts from a simple idea: every family that sends a child to a NSW public school should know their P&C is a place where they belong, their voice matters, and their participation makes a difference. Most of us would say that is already our intention. The harder question is whether a new family, the one who speaks Arabic at home, or who uses a wheelchair, or who is a grandparent raising grandchildren, or who simply cannot get to a 7pm Tuesday meeting would see it that way. This Strategy is deliberately practical. It covers the full breadth of our school communities: cultural, linguistic and faith diversity; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families; disability and accessibility; rainbow and diverse-family structures; low-income, rural and remote families; and fathers, kinship carers and grandparents. And rather than a long list of aspirations, it commits to a small number of things we can genuinely deliver in the next four terms. The centrepiece is the Inclusive P&C Toolkit, arriving in two waves. Wave 1 lands in October, timed for AGM season: an Acknowledgement of Country guide, an Accessible Meetings guide covering physical, hybrid
and plain-English practice, and an Inclusive AGM and Elections guide. Wave 2 follows in February, at the start of the new school year, with Welcome Packs translated into various languages, an Inclusive Family and Language guide, and a short self-assessment tool your P&C can work through in a single meeting. Running alongside is our Every Voice Belongs campaign, sustained across the year through the Journal, the Bulletin, our webinars and social channels, with two captioned and recorded inclusion webinars and regular Practice Spotlights from member P&Cs doing this well. As part of an assessment of the effectiveness of the strategy, we will be conducting two surveys: a baseline survey that we will be sending out soon gives us a starting point, and a follow-up survey in May 2027 that will tell us how the strategy is going. Nothing in this Strategy asks your P&C to do something large. It asks you to do one thing differently and then another. If you take up a single resource from Wave 1 in October, you will have started. Every voice belongs. Let’s make that true in practice.
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FROM OUR MEMBERS
More Than Transport The Crescent School P&C - Connecting People, Building Community We are a small P&C for a school for specific purpose (SSP) in Goulburn, and through our committed and long-serving Executive, we have found a way to deliver support and resources that extend well beyond what we imagined possible. Our P&C operates an Assisted School Travel Program (ASTP) contract for the NSW Department of Education, safely transporting students to and from school. We have a fleet of five vehicles: three buses and two cars. The buses are converted to accommodate wheelchairs and designed to maximise access with easy side disembarking on the street. The transport service we provide has a profound impact for our community. Many of our students cannot access mainstream school bus services, and some live up to 90 minutes from school. For these children, the service is not simply convenient; it is essential. It ensures that they can access the specialist education, support and opportunities our school provides. Our ASTP service also extends beyond the school runs. We transported a local All Abilities soccer team to attend a gala day in Sydney and support regular local community access outings and events for students by supplying fully funded buses and drivers. Behind the scenes, the operation runs like a small business. We employ a Coordinator to manage direct contact with families and day-to-day administration, and we have a team of dedicated drivers, all funded through the contract. Every dollar of profit generated from the service goes
directly back into our school community. We have moved beyond traditional fundraising and established a strong and sustainable source of income that benefits students year after year. The impact can be seen in both the resources we provide and the opportunities we create. Recently, we funded specialist equipment for a school sensory room, supporting students' physical development, sensory regulation and cognitive growth. Other support the P&C has provided for the school includes decodable readers, kitchen equipment, playground upgrades, shelters and walkways. We have supported school events such as a disco, movie night, BBQs, pizza reward days and other initiatives for our whole school community to enjoy. Being able to reduce financial barriers for our families and supporting student participation in activities and events beyond the classroom has made our school community feel visible in the local region. This year, we are entering two of our buses as decorated floats in the local Lilac Festival street parade. It is a great opportunity to celebrate our students and promote a message of inclusion. For us, the greatest success of the ASTP contract is not the vehicles or the funding; it is the community it has helped support. By getting students to school, investing back into their education and increasing opportunities for participation, we are helping build a school community where every student and family feels connected, valued and included.
Tara Dunbar
Secretary, The Crescent School P&C Association
Images supplied by The Crescent School P&C Association showing buses from their fleet and team members working across their transport service
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The department is committed to providing safe and positive learning environments for all students. We’re introducing the revised Student code of conduct and School behaviour support and management plan that will be implemented in all NSW public schools by the end of 2026. This will help everyone understand what behaviour is expected for every student and make sure students feel safe and supported.
Strengthening our approach to bullying Every child deserves to feel safe, respected and supported. That's why we take all concerns about bullying—including online behaviour—very seriously. Our commitment to anti-bullying in NSW public schools is longstanding, with all schools already required to include clear strategies to prevent and respond to bullying in their School behaviour support and management plans.
NSW ANTI-BULLYING FRAMEWORK
In December 2025, the NSW Education Standards Authority released the NSW Anti-Bullying Framework (see QR code). Professor Donna Cross, a leading expert in children’s and adolescents’ wellbeing, led its development. The Framework was developed following an extensive review of international and Australian research and consultation with families and schools.
By the end of 2026, all NSW public schools will explicitly align with the NSW Anti-bullying Framework, ensuring consistent, evidence-based approaches that reflect our ongoing commitment to the safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and their communities.
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As part of this commitment, schools will make reasonable efforts to respond to reported bullying concerns within two school days of becoming aware of them. The School behaviour and support management plan will describe the types of action that may be taken in response to reported bullying incidents. While some concerns can be resolved quickly, others may take more time to work through. Parents and carers are encouraged to raise any concerns as early as possible so your child’s school can work with you to support your child and ensure they feel safe and supported at school. You can find anti-bullying resources for parents and carers using the QR code.
ANTI-BULLYING RESOURCES
FROM THE DEPARTMENT
Working together to address bullying and strengthen high expectations for student behaviour
Revised Student code of conduct The Student code of conduct sets clear expectations for behaviour across all NSW public schools and will replace the Behaviour code for students. It is designed to help all students understand what is expected of them and support them to be successful. It also helps make our schools environments where every student feels safe, included and supported. We want every student to feel safe, respected and ready to learn. That's why we have three simple expectations for all students: • Respect everyone • Be responsible • Be safe These expectations apply to students in the classroom, the playground, on excursions, online, or in school uniform in the community.
From 2027, students and parents or carers will be asked to acknowledge that they have received and acknowledge the expectations outlined in Student code of conduct. How students, parents and carers are asked may look different in each school community.
FURTHER RESOURCES By working together, we can help create schools where every child feels safe, included and supported to learn.
FROM OUR MEMBERS
Parents and carers can access the Student code of conduct, an animation and web resources with practical strategies for parents to help their child better understand and meet the expectations of the Student code of conduct.
REVISED STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT
We encourage you to read and discuss the Student code of conduct with your child. Talking about these expectations at home can help your child understand how they contribute to a positive, respectful learning environment.
NSW Department of Education
Gatsby Gala Narrabeen North Public School P&C The Narrabeen North Public School P&C recently hosted our second annual Parent Fundraising Night, the Gatsby Gala, bringing together parents, teachers and friends for an evening of fun, fundraising and community spirit. Planning began several months in advance, with our P&C Events Team working together to create a memorable night while keeping the focus on raising funds for our students. The school hall was transformed into a Gatsby-inspired venue, complete with casino table entertainment, a photo booth, raffle, silent auction, lucky door prizes, food and plenty of dancing. A major highlight was the incredible support from our local business community, who generously donated prizes, sponsorship and services. One of the best parts of the process was the importance of sharing the workload. From decorations and catering to fundraising activities, welcoming guests and packing up. The event
Image supplied by Narrabeen North Public School P&C
relied on a wonderful team of P&C volunteers, staff, businesses and families working together. The Gatsby Gala was a fantastic success, raising valuable funds for our school while giving parents an opportunity to connect outside the school day. Most importantly, it strengthened our school community and demonstrated what can be achieved when families, the school, volunteers and local businesses come together. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who donated, volunteered, attended and supported the event. The generosity of our community made the night possible and has made a meaningful difference to our school and students.
Eliza McAllister and Karen Gurney
Event Leads, Narrabeen North PS P&C Association
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Binalong Public School’s Annual Art Show
Issue 78 | No 4 2026
FROM OUR MEMBERS
Binalong Public School’s annual Art Show has grown into one of the most anticipated events on our school calendar, celebrating not only student creativity but the strength of our wider community. Careful planning begins early, with our P&C working alongside staff to coordinate displays, performances, catering and community involvement. A key part of our approach has been inviting local voices into the event, including members of the Binalong arts community who generously give their time as judges, helping to connect our students with real-world artistic perspectives.
partnerships, and allowing the event to grow organically over time can make a significant impact. The outcomes for our school have been incredibly positive. Not only does the event foster confidence and creativity in students, but funds raised directly support our creative arts programs, including weekly art classes, camps and enrichment opportunities. We are also proud of our students’ achievements beyond the school, with many selected for Operation Art’s Touring 50 exhibition, now displayed in Sydney Children’s Hospital, and a recent recipient of the Curator’s Choice Award.
Over the years, the event has evolved well beyond a traditional art display. This year’s showcase highlighted a diverse range of creative learning, including student artwork, a growing photography competition, and a performance from our school choir, who proudly demonstrated their learning by singing in Japanese. These additions have brought fresh energy and new opportunities for students to express themselves in different ways.
The Binalong Public School Art Show is more than an event; it’s a celebration of creativity, community and opportunity.
Melanie Edwards
Binalong Public School P&C Association
The evening itself is a true community gathering. For our small rural town, it is a highly anticipated event. Families, friends and extended relatives come together to celebrate the students’ efforts, sharing a meal prepared by the P&C and enjoying the welcoming atmosphere. One of the most rewarding aspects of the event is seeing the pride students take in sharing their work with loved ones and the broader community. Running the Art Show has taught us the value of collaboration and inclusivity. Drawing on community expertise, offering varied creative outlets, and creating a relaxed, welcoming environment have all been key to its success. For other P&Cs, starting small, building
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Image supplied by Binalong Public School P&C Association
FROM THE DEPARTMENT
From conversation to community impact At Lindsay Park Public School in West Wollongong, the partnership between the school, P&C and families is embedded in school life. With an active P&C and a diverse community, families are continually involved in conversations that help shape the school and improve the experience for students, parents and staff. When COVID-19 restrictions eased in 2021, Lindsay Park Public School wanted to rebuild connections with local families. By working with the community to understand their needs, the school developed a play-based program called Prep Squad. The program gave pre-school-aged children an opportunity to become familiar with the school, while parents and carers could meet staff, ask questions and connect with other families. Parents' perspectives have been an important part of shaping the program. Their conversations and feedback have helped the school understand what families value and continually refine the experience. The result is more than an orientation program. It is an opportunity to begin building relationships and a sense of belonging from the outset.
The benefits of this partnership extend beyond the parent experience. Clearer communication and streamlined processes help families know where to go for information, while staff can manage queries more efficiently. Teaching staff have highlighted the time saved through these processes, giving them greater capacity to focus on student learning and wellbeing. What stands out at Lindsay Park Public School is the ongoing nature of the partnership. The P&C and parent community aren't brought into the conversation only when a problem needs to be solved. Their perspectives are part of a continuous cycle of listening, sharing ideas, making improvements and reviewing what works.
The same collaborative approach has helped continually improve school communication with families.
By working together, the school and P&C are turning parent feedback into practical changes that strengthen the experience for the entire school community. Principal Jacqueline Conway is proud of the relationship with the P&C and the community and says the value is in having families as active partners in school improvement.
The P&C association, parent focus groups and surveys have provided opportunities for families to share their experiences and contribute ideas about how information is communicated. Workshops were held in the school library, with multiple sessions to accommodate working parents and carers, while surveys and QR codes provided additional ways to participate.
“Our P&C have continually evolved over the years and remain focused on supporting the school, with students at the centre. Through our collaboration, we continually review and refine school processes and practices that foster strong community participation and strengthen connections across the whole school community,” Mrs Conway said.
This ongoing conversation helped the school refine how it shares information through the school website,
NSW Department of Education
Parents helping shape how the school communicates
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newsletter and a weekly ‘What’s On’ update. Families responded positively. The changes led to increased engagement with the newsletter, while translation features improved accessibility for nonEnglish-speaking families.
Lindsay Park P&C Volunteers
FROM OUR MEMBERS
A Pillar of Community Spirit and Support Gresford Public School P&C
Gresford Public School, a small rural school of just 45 students, has once again demonstrated the remarkable power of community through the tireless efforts of its Parents and Citizens (P&C) Association. This year, the Gresford P&C has gone above and beyond to raise much-needed funds to support vital school programs in the classroom and to ensure all students have equitable access to enriching opportunities outside of the classroom, through assistance with excursion costs. In an extraordinary display of dedication and creativity, the P&C championed the annual Gresford Billy Cart Derby, which is a standout event in the local community's calendar. Featuring exciting races, raffles, face painting, and a variety of stalls, all expertly managed by our devoted parents, the Derby raised over $10,000 for our P&C. This incredible achievement not only boosted school funds to maintain the school's STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics) teacher but also brought together families and community members in a celebration of community spirit. Building on this momentum, the P&C launched the Gresford P&C Cookbook, compiling dozens of cherished
recipes submitted by community members, staff, and students. This initiative was more than just a fundraiser; it strengthened bonds within the local community as people shared their culinary favourites. The cookbook’s success added further support to the school’s programs, reflecting the P&C’s commitment to connecting people and fostering a collaborative spirit. Perhaps the most dazzling highlight of the year was the Gresford Cup fundraiser held on 1 August, coinciding with the traditional horse's birthday. With the Melbourne Cup trophy making a special visit to Gresford, the event captured imaginations across the community. Modelled on horse-racing fun and festivities, the fundraiser drew a large, enthusiastic crowd and raised over $10,000 to support the school’s initiatives. These exceptional fundraising efforts by the Gresford P&C not only provide essential financial support but also raise the profile of our school far beyond the local area. Their unwavering commitment ensures that every student, regardless of background, has access to the full heart of public-school life, vibrant programs, enriching experiences, and a strong sense of belonging. The Gresford Public School community is proud to celebrate the remarkable contributions of its P&C. Their tireless work exemplifies the strength and generosity of rural communities and underscores the vital role parents and citizens play in sustaining and enriching public education. With such steadfast support, Gresford Public School continues to thrive as a welcoming, inclusive, and dynamic place of learning for all its students. Here’s to many more years of outstanding community partnership and shared success.
Gresford Public School P&C Association event (from left) Shannon McCormack, Fallon Hugo (Secretary), Beth Dark (Treasurer), Rebecca
Luke Stewart
Principal, Gresford Public School
Montgomery, Heidi Armstrong (President)
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FROM OUR MEMBERS
Reigniting Community Murray Farm Public School’s Cracker Carnival 2026 On 5 September, Murray Farm Public School held its 2026 Cracker Carnival, a much-loved 52-year-old school tradition that brings together thousands of people from our school and surrounding community. While fundraising for our school is an important outcome of the Carnival, our P&C’s biggest goal this year was something less measurable: to reignite community involvement and build systems and processes that hold the organisation together while leadership changes each year. Running an event of this scale through a P&C is an enormous undertaking, and one of our biggest changes was rethinking how that responsibility was shared. Rather than having a small number of people carrying much of the operational load, we introduced a stronger team structure, with different areas led by coordinators who were empowered to build their own teams. This became one of our greatest successes. People supported one another, stepped across roles when help was needed and, importantly, volunteers had more people around them to turn to. We learnt that good systems don't take the community out of volunteering, they give people more space to enjoy being part of it. We introduced Carnival-wide volunteering, allowing volunteers to support areas across the event rather than placing the entire responsibility for filling rosters onto individual stall leaders. This created greater flexibility and reinforced the idea that we weren't running individual stalls and activities; instead, we were all running one Carnival together. One of our most ambitious changes was moving the Carnival away from cash. Rather than adopting an existing system, we worked closely with a developer to create a QR code-based cashless solution around the particular needs of our Carnival. Initially, the goal was relatively simple: reduce the security risks and
administrative burden associated with handling large amounts of cash across a school event. What we ultimately gained was much more valuable. The system became a central payment platform capable of tracking spending across the entire Carnival. This gave us greater visibility over how individual stalls and activities were performing and provided data that can now inform better budgeting, purchasing and planning for future Carnivals. It also reduced the responsibility placed on volunteers to manage cash, creating a more consistent payment experience across the event. Alongside the new systems, we focused heavily on strengthening the connection between parents, the P&C and the school. Clearer workflows helped information move between teams, while changes to food operations, activity locations and crowd flow helped the Carnival operate more effectively.
Murray Farm Public School P&C Association Cracker Carnival 2026 (from left) Michelle (Marketing), Danielle (Cake Stall Leader), Ekta (Head of Sponsorship), Imeka (Games Stall Leader) and Helani (Convenor)
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FROM OUR MEMBERS
Of course, no amount of planning can control everything. A sudden storm arrived during the Carnival, requiring our team to rapidly relocate performances and adapt operations. In many ways, it became the greatest test of the structure we had spent months building, people stepped outside of their assigned roles, solved problems and supported one another to keep the Carnival moving. Our advice to other P&Cs undertaking large community events would be to keep governance focused on purpose rather than politics, establish leadership with a clear vision, and be brave enough to embrace new solutions. Not every new idea will feel comfortable at first. Change requires trust, good communication and a willingness to challenge the way things have traditionally been done. But innovation doesn't have to mean losing the history or heart of a much-loved event. For us, it meant building systems that better supported the people who make that event possible. Perhaps our biggest lesson was to not just plan an event, but to plan how you will support the people running it. The success of Cracker Carnival 2026 wasn't simply what we delivered on the day. It was seeing parents connect, volunteers step up for one another, children and families enjoy their school, and our community feel ownership of the Carnival again. For us, that was the biggest win of all.
Helani Sarath-Kumara
Chris Wu (P&C President) and Mina Looho (Head of Food)
Cracker Carnival Convenor 2026
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FROM OUR MEMBERS
A Passing Comment to a Playground What Our Community Achieved Together At Kirrawee Public School (KPS), one of our proudest P&C achievements has been the recent opening of our new Inclusive Learning Hub (ILH) playground, a project that took around 12 months of planning, fundraising, collaboration and commitment from our school, P&C and wider KPS community. What makes this project particularly special is how simply it began. A passing comment from a parent about the condition of the existing ILH play equipment started a much bigger conversation about what our students needed. From there, improving the playground quickly became one of our P&C’s highest priorities. The goal was about much more than replacing old equipment. We wanted to help create a safe, accessible, engaging and stimulating space where children could play, explore, connect and enjoy being outdoors. Rachel, one of our amazing mums on the P&C, and a parent of a child who learns within the ILH, told us: "I understand personally just how important it is for our children to have spaces designed with their individual needs in mind. My son, Manaia, and his peers have been absolutely thrilled with the transformation. Watching them explore their new playground and enjoy the vibrant equipment has been the greatest measure of success. For our families, the playground represents something even bigger. It sends an important message that children with disabilities are valued members of our school community and deserve the same opportunities to play, participate, connect and thrive as every other child.
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Image supplied by Kirrawee Public School P&C Association
Turning a Goal into a Fundraising Focus Once the playground became a priority, our P&C made it a clear fundraising goal and brought the community along on the journey. One of our most successful fundraising events was our community trivia night, which raised more than $14,000. We wanted the event to be more than simply a fundraiser. We focused on creating a fun community night where parents, carers, teachers and friends could socialise while supporting something meaningful for the school. We encouraged table bookings, promoted the event consistently through school communication channels and social media, and approached local businesses for sponsorship, prizes and vouchers. Their generosity helped keep costs down and maximise the amount we could direct towards the project. Games, prizes and entertainment between trivia rounds also helped keep the energy high and made the night feel special.
What We Learnt One of our biggest lessons was that families are incredibly supportive when they can clearly see what they are fundraising for. We learnt the importance of having a small organising team with clearly defined roles. Dividing responsibilities across sponsorship, communications, ticketing, prizes and event logistics meant the workload was shared
and the event ran more smoothly. A detailed running schedule and MC plan were also invaluable.
FROM OUR MEMBERS
Our advice to other P&Cs is to start early, especially when approaching sponsors and organising prizes. Don’t be afraid to ask local businesses for support — many are happy to contribute when they understand how the project will benefit local children. Keep events simple but make them feel special. A theme, good prizes, entertainment and a welcoming atmosphere can make a huge difference.
A Community Achievement What began with one parent’s observation has become a space our students can enjoy every day. Seeing the happiness on the children’s faces makes every meeting, sponsorship request, raffle ticket and fundraising event worthwhile. We are incredibly proud of our new Inclusive Learning Hub playground and forever grateful to the Kirrawee Public School community for helping bring it to life. For us, this project is a wonderful example of what P&Cs can achieve when community, collaboration and inclusion are at the heart of everything we do.
Image supplied by Kirrawee Public School P&C (from left) Terri Paparizos (President), Manaia Savage, Rachel Savage (Vice President), Sarah Martin (Assistant Principal), Jessica Shappell (Treasurer)
Terri Paparizos
President, Kirrawee Public School P&C Association
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2026 P&C Federation Awards We want to celebrate and recognise the incredible work done in public schools throughout the state. Whether it is the contribution of a particular individual in your school community, your school’s principal, or your P&C Association, the P&C Federation Awards are an opportunity to showcase these efforts and reward outstanding work.
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