Whakamārama School PTA is starting the year off with a bang after an incredible 2024, where they raised $35,000 through donations, sponsorships, grants, and a variety of events.

Looking ahead to 2025, the PTA is ready to kick off another year of fundraising, beginning with the much-anticipated Mum’s Magical Makeover event on Friday, February 28.

Held at Whakamārama Hall from 6pm – 10pm, this fabulous evening promises to be a fantastic night out for mums in the area with dinner, fashion swap, games, and a raffle with heaps of prizes to be won.

Tickets are priced at just $40, which includes a glass of bubbles upon arrival and a delicious Indian-inspired dinner.

The Whakamārama School PTA is raising funds for hardscaping work to support the recent new classrooms at Whakamārama School. Photo/Supplied.

One of the highlights of the event will be the fashion swap, where attendees can donate two to five items of clothing and, in return, browse the collection for something new to take home. In addition to the fashion swap, there will be plenty of prizes to win, with generous local businesses like Scentsy and Curves o Plenty contributing vouchers and gifts to the raffle.

If the fashion swap isn’t for you then come along and enjoy dinner and entertainment from GladAss and PRIMrose of Curves o Plenty.

The primary goal of the event is to raise funds for hardscaping work to support the recent addition of new classrooms at Whakamārama School. These classrooms are set to be completed in April 2025, and the PTA is determined to make the area surrounding the new buildings a welcoming and functional space for students. This expansion is part of the school’s efforts to accommodate its growing student roll, which has nearly doubled in recent years.

The impressive achievement last year raising $35,000 highlights the unwavering support of the wider community, who recognise the importance of the school in their lives.

Debbie Allan, a dedicated PTA member who has been involved with the school since her eldest started in 2015 and has seen the roll grow from 33 students to nearly 100 in 2024.

“We are very grateful for the continued support of our sponsors of the PTA’s events and know that our school wouldn’t be what it is today without the generous support of our community,” Allan said.

“Last year the PTA were able to make a tangible difference to our school through our fundraising which enabled us to purchase new combined football/rugby goals, new water fountains through the school, make upgrades to the tech room and we have new netball/basketball hoops on order. We hope to continue that momentum in 2025.”

Tickets for Mum’s Magical Makeover on Friday, February 28, can be purchased through Humantix. This affordable and fun night out promises to be a great way for mums to connect, get to know other mums, and enjoy some well-deserved time away while supporting their local school.