Food, Glorious Food!
Food is given great consideration as the featured component in planning for a social gathering. Food also features strongly in the minds of our boarding students. Food is something that students might look forward to in Session 4 – as in “I can’t wait for lunch today!” or “I wonder if the tuckshop has cheesy breadsticks today?” (Students tell me that cheesy breadsticks are a much sought after item).
In this edition of our newsletter, I pay tribute to our staff (and volunteers) who operate SomerFare, the school tuckshop, led by Mrs Janet Kavourakis, Tuckshop Convenor. Mrs Kavourakis works hard to ensure the operation runs smoothly and to fulfil the SomerFare purpose of the provision of delicious healthy food with seasonal menu changes.
Towards the end of each term there is a lot of discussion between the SomerFare staff, who give consideration to the introduction of new items to offer a varied menu. They also discuss the types of food the girls might like to eat and give thought to the retention of popular items. Our students are most fortunate to have a great team running the school tuckshop. Mrs Kavourakis has managed various challenges throughout recent years, with food and product price increases and always tries to keep the retail prices reduced for the school community.
Further, the SomerFare team have had to deal with the government directed snap school closures for the pandemic. In Term 1, they co-ordinated assistance for our flood affected families, through the provision of lunches and meals, until the families were able to return to their homes.
Staffing has presented challenges too and while COVID impacted the SomerFare staff in Term 3 of this year, our Convenor managed to cover shifts to ensure the tuckshop stayed open to serve the students. Volunteer numbers dropped significantly last year, which presented the daily challenge of not knowing if any rostered volunteers would be able to assist in the tuckshop on any given day.
So, on behalf of the students and staff and parents in our school community, I acknowledge the work of our Tuckshop Team and say thank you to all the volunteers who serve in the school tuckshop.
125th Birthday in 2024
Somerville House celebrates its 125th birthday in 2024. We have formed a 125 Birthday Committee to plan a series of events to fit the School Calendar.
We would like to hear from parents with suggestions for how we can create a wonderful birthday year. You are invited to submit your ideas for celebrations or events that will honour 125 years of Somerville House.
Please submit your suggestions via this link Somerville House 125 Year Survey by Thursday 15 December 2022.
Mrs Kim Kiepe
Principal