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House of Assembly - Fifty-Third Parliament, First Session (53-1)
2014-11-18 Daily Xml
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Edwardstown Primary School

Ms DIGANCE (Elder) (15:36): I would like to speak today about a well-patronised community event that occurs in my electorate annually. With spring well upon us, we saw the Edwardstown Primary School Strawberry Fair making the most of the fantastic weather. The strawberry fair sees people from miles around flock to this extremely popular and free event. The school and its oval are packed with families having a great day out and enjoying the great weather, with loads of fun and things to do for all ages.

Each November the school community comes together on a Sunday to enjoy the excitement and exhilaration of a fair filled with something for everyone. The strawberry fair brings all ages together and offers a chance to eat, drink, dance, be entertained, buy a basket or put your feet up with a cappuccino. Visitors can follow the strawberry trail, which takes you to all points of the fair and introduces you to the fun, food and frolicking involved in Edwardstown Primary's Strawberry Fair.

The school's first strawberry fair was held on 24 October 1982, and it continues to be organised by a subcommittee of the school council, which includes staff and parents. Glenys de Wit, Edwardstown Primary School's finance officer, has been involved in 30 of the school's 32 fairs. She says that the fair has not just grown every year; it has also become better and better, year after year, and is now a well-known event to the locals. This year it was held on Sunday 2 November.

On this fun day, the oval and courts are transformed into a riot of colour and activity. There are stalls selling numerous goods of books and home wares to gifts, cakes and jewellery. There are games to keep the children busy and food stalls that offer delicious lunch and snack foods. The café and a bar cater for those seeking a change of pace, with a wonderful Devonshire tea of delicious homemade scones and refreshments garnished with strawberries, both being popular favourites, while for all fairgoers there is vibrant and ongoing entertainment that everyone can enjoy.

It is always a big day with a great community feel, which is helped by the number of volunteers from the school, local churches and other community groups. Old scholars, past teachers and neighbours all make appearances and enjoy the camaraderie. Also deserving of recognition are principal Suzanne Clark and deputy principal Kathy Papps, whose tireless work, commitment and passion contribute to the success of this event.

The strawberry fair is the school's biggest fundraiser of the year, with funds supporting important programs and facilities for the school. This year, the fair raised $33,000, which went towards the activity hall loan. With the ongoing support of local residents who come year after year to the event, every year the funds raised increase.

The school currently has 360 students from reception to year 7. There is a broad range of socioeconomic and cultural diversity amongst the student population, adding to the richness of the school community. The strawberry fair has enabled schoolchildren's learning to flourish in many direct and indirect ways. The fair has provided a venue for students to display their skills and talents. It has provided an opportunity for students to perform in front of large audiences; plan, establish and operate stalls at the fair; and showcase their literacy and numeracy skills through operation of successful stalls. These real life, innovative and fun activities provide opportunities for students in a supportive environment which complement and facilitate further learning while teaching them the value of community.

It takes an enormous amount of work and commitment to ensure the strawberry fair is the featured highlight of not only the school but, indeed, the local community. It makes it so much more satisfying knowing that fun and friendships are forged through active participation of an event such as this. I always thoroughly enjoy this local event as it is a warm and inclusive community event. Anyone can walk into this fair and feel part of it. It is well thought out, well run, well managed and well attended thanks to the hard work of parents, teachers and students alike. I thoroughly recommend this event. It is one not to be missed.

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