Immediately after the opening of the Winter Fair, guests were greeted with spectacular musical performances and a mini art exhibition at the entrance, which really set the mood of the scene. Later on, the Interhouse Junk Fashion Show was held in the performance space, where Year 7-10 students worked together to create an outfit. As the event name suggests, they were only allowed to use “junk” such as newspapers and cardboard. So, you could imagine my astonishment when I saw the extent of creativity of the competing students as they transformed trash into treasure (quite literally— I’m pretty sure the “newspaper” outfits could pass off as actual ones in the stores). Following the Fashion Show, we were graced with K-pop dance performances along with impressive singers. 

Many people may think that the Winter Fair is only hosted to celebrate Christmas. Although this is definitely part of the reason, this year’s Fair, held in January (so technically Spring Fair!), has proven this theory very, very wrong. Not only has it shown the fact that simply the collaboration and enthusiasm of the Island School community were worth celebrating, but it also showcases the unwavering commitment from everyone, which made every annual Winter Fair as memorable as it is. 

Of course, we’d like to thank the Island School PTA Committee members, parent volunteers, students, and staff for organising the Winter Fair— It has truly exceeded our expectations, and sets the bar higher every year!

November 22, 2024—a day to remember. Island School’s Winter Fair is an annual event filled to the brim with joy, laughter, and most importantly—lots of food. In preparation for this year’s Winter Fair, the Island School community was busy preparing delicious food, setting up game stalls, shops, practicing for performances, coordinating the fair and much more! Ultimately, the hard work paid off— the 2024 Winter Fair attracted an impressive amount of more than 3000 attendees. From the colour tinsel and ornaments that adorned every corner of the school to the red-and-green themed baked goods, the Winter Fair fully embraced the Christmas spirit. 

Personally, the best aspect of the Winter Fair was the game stalls and the food—eating the endless rows of diverse cuisine and playing the house-themed games in the Sports Hall was definitely a highlight of the night. On top of that, there were second-hand uniforms and books sold at a cheap price of as low as $20!

Here are some thoughts from Annabelle, a dance performer in Island School Winter Fair: 

“Being able to perform in the Winter Fair dance show was a valuable experience for me. After weeks of dedication and hard work, the three minutes on stage finally paid off! It felt so fulfilling to be able to present our performance to the audience and connect over our success. The experience was also even more valuable by the fact that my teammates and I encouraged and supported each other during the act. I would also like to thank everyone involved in planning the Winter Fair. Your efforts enabled the event to be a success, and I thank you sincerely for a job well done. This event was indeed an unforgettable experience!”

~Annabelle AU, 09DT

The money earned from last year’s Winter Fair were used to fund the purchase of tables with shading in LG3 greenspace, allowing Year 7 & 8 students to have a more comfortable area to rest at. I’m thrilled to see what will be done with the proceeds of this 2025 Winter Fair! Special thanks to the teachers and staff who had coordinated the event, and the students who performed, volunteered, and set up the wonderful stalls and shops! 

The Winter Fair is a lot more than just a fun performance or bake sale, it is a cherished event that brings teachers, students, and staff together and allows Islanders to feel a sense of pride and belonging within the school. Along with that, it is an opportunity for students to showcase their talents, socialise with others, and work together to fundraise for the entire Island School community. I can’t wait to see everybody again later this year for another unforgettable experience!