Save the Date for Pako Festa, Saturday, February 26th

One of our first activities of the year will be Ashby participation in Pako Festa, the largest diversity festival in Australia, held right here in our own neighbourhood of Geelong West. Sponsored by Diversitat, this year’s theme is ‘The Beat of Pako.’ Ashby will be participating in two ways:

Parade - We encourage all students to participate in parade. This year in addition to wearing our student uniforms, carrying our school banners and signs, we will also be encouraging students to walk with their decorated bikes or scooters to show our commitment to active travel. Balloons and streamers will be provided to decorate bikes and scooters and we will also have face paint to create face stripes in the Ashby colors.  Look for a separate flyer with a permission form, parade meeting time and location.

Stall – Due to a generous donation from Third Ecology, Ashby will again have a stall on Pakington Street. the stall families will be able to purchase face masks kits for $2. We will also have our 2009 Ashby School Cookbook for sale. Parent volunteers are needed to help man the stall from 7:30am to 4pm (including set up and take down). It’s easy and fun - the more people that volunteer the less everyone has to do! If you can volunteer for an hour, please complete the form in this week's newsletter or email friendsofashby@gmail.com.

First FOA Meeting of the School Year

Friends of Ashby will hold its first meeting of the school year, this Friday, February 11th at 9am (right after drop off) in the staff room. We encourage returning parents and friends to get involved as well as those who are new to the school (don’t worry children are welcome at the meetingsJ). Your involvement in FOA is a great opportunity to help your child have the best possible experience at school as well as to meet other parents and friends.


Items on the agenda will include Ashby's involvement in Pako Festa and the startup of ongoing programs, including Tutti Fruitti Thursday, the HeadLice Check Program and the Classroom Support Team. If you are unable to attend this meeting, feel free to leave any comments or ideas in the FOA box in the staff room or at the front office. We look forward to seeing you there!