Friends of Performing Arts (FOPA) at Mentone Grammar

The Friends of Performing Arts are a collection of parents, grandparents and friends whose aim is to support members of our school community in their performing arts endeavours.

The committee help in many practical ways. Which includes ‘front of house’ duties (selling tickets that haven’t yet sold online), serving supper and clearing away the mess. When we are ‘working’ on an event we don’t pay for our ticket to attend the event, so if your son or daughter is performing and you want to see them in more than one performance, this is a good way to do so without it being too expensive.

We do ‘front of house’ for the Bayview and Frogmore drama productions, as well as the National Piano Recital. At other events (Soirees, Recitals, Concerts etc), FOPA committee members will also run a stall where you can soft drinks ans nibbles before your show.

Our committee is made up of very busy people, but we do aim to have 2 committee meetings per term, however most of our communication takes place via email, so being a FOPA committee member isn’t too onerous. We’re always on the look out for more helpers. Talk to us to let us know if this role interests you.

For the last couple of years, many performances are filmed and edited and put onto DVD. These are distributed through the relevant Campus offices within 7 days of the performance, or from the FOPA committee member at the next event, for just $10. 

In 2010, performances at the Winter Concert and the Autumn Music Scholars Recital were edited so performers (if they chose to) could create a portfolio of their performances (possibly to put on YouTube as a demonstration of their skill). Students are advised to talk with Mr Gavin Cornish, Head of Performing Arts, if they are interested in pursuing this option.

Under the present committee, the role of FOPA is very much concentrating on the area of practical support. While we do raise some funds via annual and life member subscriptions in order to donate goods to the school for the purpose of furthering the performing arts (for instance, we donated $5,000 toward the curtains in the Drama Centre to celebrate our 20^th Anniversary), most of our activities aim to merely celebrate and support our performing artists.

Performing Arts Calendar

2011 Schedule of Performing Arts Events at Mentone Grammar

For the complete schedule of FOPA Events download the 2011 Calendar of Mentone Grammar Performing Arts Events.

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FOPA Committee 2011

Maria Verrills (President)

Renee Barlow(Vice President)

Jan Murphy (Secretary)

Rhonda Garvin (Treasurer)

General Committee:
Sirini Kularaatne-Samarapathi, Andrew Lamb, Dianne Devos, Helen New, Mary Arvanitakis and Michelle Pain

FOPA 2011

Is your child a part of the performing arts at Mentone Grammar? Would you like to be of practical support to the performing arts at the school? Why not join the Friends of Performing Arts committee? We work as a team to help in front of house activities for the larger school based events (eg. school drama/musical productions), and raise a small amount of funds by filming and selling the performances on DVD, and selling sweets and water at most performances. (Most of us are very busy, so instead of committee meetings we coordinate our activities via email.) For further enquiries please don't hesitate to contact us by email or leave a message for us on 9584 4211 (Mentone Grammar Reception).

FOPA Photograph Sales

As a part of FOPA's fundraising effort, and as a service to Mentone Grammar families, photographs from some School productions will be available to purchase online.

Photos are available to purchase for the following productions:

To purchase, click Order my photos.

Sizes available: 

5 x 7” ($10)
8 x 12” ($18)

Payment is by credit card only (secure site). Photos may be collected from Main Reception two weeks from the order date. Please email us if you have any queries.

Thank you for supporting FOPA Fundraising.

Contact FOPA

Please email us or leave a message at the Mentone Grammar Main Reception - phone 9584 4211 - and we will make contact with you as soon as possible.