The PCA – bringing us together

The Parent Community Association (PCA) commenced the year with great enthusiasm. Our Year Level Representatives (YLR) organised many year level coffee catch-ups and welcome events over Terms 1 and 2. The new Parent Community Association Executive Team was very pleased with the large number of new parents volunteering as Year Level Representatives (YLR) and attending induction sessions at the commencement of the school year to learn about their role. These sessions gave our volunteers an opportunity to hear from the new Head of the School, Mr Gerard Houlihan, meet the new PCA Executive Team and to connect with one another.

In March, a team of dedicated parent volunteers attended the bi-annual working bee in the Octavius Brown Kitchen Garden. The team weeded, planted, pruned and swept amongst other duties. We also celebrated the 10 year milestone of the garden in operation with a beautiful cake from Dolly's and pizzas prepared in the PCA pizza oven. Thank you to Mary Wood and those who attended. It was a very productive and enjoyable morning.

During Term 2, the Mother’s Day Lunch celebrated family as a powerful representation of collaboration, our word for the year. Parents were impressed by the stunning venue Sophia, at the Prahran Arcade on Chapel Street, which epitomises the excesses of late 19th century architecture. As one of the most popular PCA events on the School calendar, it was a wonderful occasion for parents across the St Michael’s community to come together, celebrate and be celebrated.

The PCA run Second-Hand Uniform Service (SHU) continues to go from strength to strength, offering a wide selection of high quality uniform items to St Michael’s students. The parent volunteers who run the service are committed to the mantra of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, aligning with the School’s values. Uniforms that do not meet the quality benchmark for resale are donated to Charities – the Katalyst Foundation and the Reagan Milstein Foundation or sent to Upparel for shredding and repurposing. Funds raised by the SHU service are put towards the PCA Grants program which allows students, staff and parents to put forward submissions for the funding of projects that will benefit the wider school community.

The PCA once again supported the School’s Giving Day on 25 May, donating $5000 in match funding through the PCA annual grants program. The PCA supports the growth and development of the School’s Scholarship program, which provides opportunities for students who may not be able to start, or continue, their St Michael’s education.

The parent community is anticipating one of the biggest events on the School calendar – the PCA Trivia night. Last year the event was held at the Timber Yard venue in Port Melbourne with a record number of parents in attendance and a wonderful night had by all. This year promises to be just as much fun.

Ms Jacqui Walker