Through its Christmas hamper raffle, the school is working to make excursions, cultural experiences and other activities more affordable and accessible for local families.
Principal Kate Whitford said funds raised would help subsidise events and activities for students, easing the financial pressure on families as travel and participation costs continued to rise.
“The cost to travel compared to a metropolitan school is ridiculous for us,” Ms Whitford said.
Among the activities the school hopes to support next year is a dedicated cultural day, where First Nations experts will visit the school to share their knowledge, stories and lived experiences with students.
The raffle features four themed hampers: dads, mums, kids, and Christmas, with prizes ranging from toys and games to food, drinks and gifts.
The hampers are being assembled with generous donations from staff and school council members, and the school warmly welcomes further contributions from local businesses and community members.
The fundraising is needed now more than ever, with the school acutely aware that financial pressures remain real for many in the community, as some Rochester families continue to recover from the devastating 2022 floods.
“Some families are still doing it tough from the floods,” Ms Whitford said.
She said community support was especially vital for a regional school like Rochester, where the cost of travelling to major cultural attractions and educational venues can make excursions significantly more expensive than those available to metropolitan students.
The school is calling on the whole community to get behind the raffle and help open doors to greater opportunities for Rochester’s next generation.
Tickets are just $5 each, with the raffle drawn on Tuesday, December 15.
Grab yours now at www.raffletix.com.au/rochesterpshamper2026 and help make a real difference for Rochester's kids.
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