Bonnyrigg High P&C raise $1000 from NSW Election Day democracy sausage fundraiser

A newly-established P&C group has turned a profit through its inaugural election day sausage sizzle and Vietnamese iced coffee. Find out how the money raised will support Bonnyrigg High School.

Bonnyrigg High P&C sausage sizzle in full swing on Saturday. Picture: Kirsten Jelinek.

A newly established Parents and Citizens group has raised more than $1000 for Bonnyrigg High following an inaugural election day sausage sizzle.

The group put a twist on the traditional democracy sausage line-up, with their popular Vietnamese iced coffee selling out – twice.

Bonnyrigg High P&C president Ben Stewart said this was the first group of parents to represent the school in the last 15 years.

“We made a decent profit thanks to the donations from parents who donated lolly bags and iced coffee,” he said. “It wasn’t about raising money, this was our first opportunity to get parents into the school and get involved.”

Mr Stewart said the funds would go back into the school for improvements, including a library refurbishment.

Bonnyrigg High P&C sausage sizzle in full swing on Saturday. Picture: Kirsten Jelinek.

“We desperately need shade. We’re a school fit for 900 students but we’re over 1600 so the school needs shade in outdoor and lunch areas,” he said. “We also have 30 demountable buildings and a lot of them don’t have adequate shelter and we have some disabled students who can’t access those classrooms because of the location.”

Mr Stewart said the P&C was helping to mend the “disconnect between the school and parents”.

“There were parents who had never stepped inside the school, partially because of Covid but also because that disconnect,” he said. “Parents said they now felt a sense of belonging to be on the site.”

Bonnyrigg High principal Michael Bryce, said he’s not surprised the P&C raised over $1000.

“They’re that dedicated and they’re so well organised,” he said.

Mr Bryce has been teaching for 40 years and said he’s never met a more organised and terrific P&C group.

“Our P&C are the most cohesive, school focused group I’ve ever worked with. They’re here for the kids.”

Mr Bryce said the team have also been instrumental in applying for grants for the school.

“They just want to be involved positively in every aspect of our school,” he said.

“They are really good people and we;ve gone form having no one to this group going 100 miles per house to assit the school.”