Initiatives
Friend Raisers funded by Parents and Friends.
Each year the Association hosts the following “friend-raising” social events for the School community:
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Buddy/Peer Support BBQ, - held just prior to the start of the School year for Year 7 and 9 new starters and their families |
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New Parents’ Cocktail Party - held in Term 1 |
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End of Year Cocktail Party - held in Term 4 |
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Volunteers’ Afternoon Tea - held towards the end of the School year for the many volunteers who kindly give their time to assist Parents and Friends |
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Buddy BBQ 2011 |
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Head Prefect Millie McKelvie serving at the P&F Cocktail evening in February |
Dio Café
Parents and Friends also manages the School cafeteria. The team at the cafeteria works extremely hard to offer our girls both delicious and nutritionally balanced meals. Fresh produce and breads are delivered daily. The menu is varied and designed to accommodate the varied culinary tastes of the girls. The café is open for breakfast, morning tea, lunch and after school snacks.
We have recently said goodbye to Jenny Charles who has so ably managed the cafeteria for the last 13 years. We are sorry to see Jenny go as she has been truly amazing, but we wish her well in her retirement and know she has many wonderful and exciting things lined up, including spending time with her lovely new grandson. We look forward to working with our new appointee, Pip Caldwell. We are delighted Pip has taken on the role. Many of you will know her already, as an old girl of the School and current parent.
If you would like to learn more or volunteer at the cafeteria, please be sure to stop by and introduce yourself to Pip or email her on pcaldwell@diocesan.school.nz.
Over 150 parents volunteer their time by assisting one day a term in the cafeteria. Pip welcomes the support from parents/caregivers and would be happy to add your name to the roster.
Fundraising
Fundraising initiatives run by Parents and Friends have included:
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essence of Dio - Cookbook |
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Father Daughter Breakfast |
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The Dio Charms |
essence of Dio is a beautiful full-colour cookbook featuring favourite family recipes from Dio families, Old Girls and staff and is now available as a second edition re-print. To date essence of Dio has netted $280,000 profit from sales, enabling Parents and Friends to fulfil the $300,000 pledge to the Dig Deep Capital Campaign run by the Heritage Foundation.
Parents and Friends Charm the Community
In Term 3 2010 Parents and Friends launched a new initiative in conjunction with then Year 13 parent and jeweller to well known New Zealand designers, John Worth. Two beautiful charms reflecting the special character of the School, the Star and the Summer House (located on School House lawn) were commissioned. Both charms were very popular and evoked some very special memories, particularly amongst our Old Girls community. Due to the popularity of the jewellery, the charms will continue to be available through the Uniform Shop this year.
Distributions
Our recent fundraising has enabled the Association to make the following donations:
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$300,000 pledge to the Food for Thought Campaign |
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$20,000 grant to the Music Department |
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$5,000 grant to the Science Department |
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$10,000 grant to the Technology Department |
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$46,000 for a new sound system in the Dawn Jones Sports Centre |
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$12,000 for stage lighting in the Junior School Hall |
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$22,000 to the Junior School for equipment for each classroom |
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$10,000 for lapel microphones |
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$25,000 for sports equipment |
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$25,000 for outdoor seating and landscaping in the Shrewsbury Courtyard |
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Bronze sculpture by renowned artist Paul Dibble, given to celebrate Dio’s Centennial Birthday |
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$5,000 for LCD monitors for the Senior School common rooms |
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$5,500 for a trailer for the Dio Rowing Club |
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$300,000 Dig Deep Captial Campaign run by the Heritage Foundation |
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$30,000 contribution to the Grand Dio Fair |
New furniture for the Whanau area in the Centennial Building
Parents and Friends has purchased some fabulous new furniture for the Whanau area on level one of the Centennial Building. The staff and girls collaborated on the design and pieces to ensure the furniture is modern and adaptable for the girls’ needs. We started with level one before Christmas, but the furniture proved to be so popular we have recently purchased more so all levels are covered. Next time you are at School, pop in and have a look.
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Annual distributions
Parents and Friends also funds the production of:
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The Dio School List - this telephone/address booklet is widely used by the School community and is sent home with the girls in Term 2 each year at no charge; and |
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The School Prefect badges, provided to the girls at no charge |