We are excited to invite Walford ELC to Year 2 students to the inaugural Fairy Tale Ball.

Hear ye, hear ye! Welcome to the Walford Fairy Tale Ball Town Square!

We are VERY excited to announce our inaugural Fairy Tale Ball, and we look forward to welcoming our ELC to Year 2 children and their parents/caregivers to Walford for what will be a magical evening. Here you will find detailed information about the Ball, but should you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to ask your child's classroom teacher.

When and Where

Friday 2 May 2025
4.30pm - 6.00pm
Helen Reid Hall, Walford Anglican School for Girls

Parents will be invited to watch as the guests walk down the regal blue carpet to enter the Ball - a procession which will be commencing at 4.30pm. Please arrive no later than 4.25pm. Late arrivals may miss their group's procession down the blue carpet.

RSVP

RSVP via Humanitix by Monday 28 April 2025, for catering and créche staffing purposes.

Who

The Fairy Tale Ball is a special event for Walford ELC (3 and 4-year-old programs) to Year 2 students only. Children who do not currently attend Walford as an ELC or Reception to Year 2 student are not permitted to attend.

Parents and caregivers of children attending the Fairy Tale Ball are invited to gather, as guests of Walford, for drinks and nibbles in the Heart of Walford for the duration of the Ball. This is an adults-only event.

Siblings of children attending the Fairy Tale Ball are invited to join our on-site créche for the duration of the Ball. The créche is suitable for children aged 3-12 years and will be supervised by two Walford teachers from 4.00pm-6.00pm. Any child between 3-12 years of age who is present at the venue, but not a guest at the Ball, will be expected to attend the créche as the drinks and nibbles in the Heart of Walford is an adults-only event. We ask that any siblings aged under 3 (excluding infants) or between 13-18 years have alternative care arrangements made prior to the Ball.

Cost

As you are our special guests for the afternoon, there is no cost to attend the Fairy Tale Ball, and the parent/caregiver drinks and nibbles will be provided by the School. The créche is also provided at no charge and will be open from 4.00pm.

What To Wear

Children attending the Fairy Tale Ball are encouraged to dress in either a fairy tale-inspired costume (think Cinderella, Prince Charming, Peter Pan, Sleeping Beauty, Pinocchio, the Fairy Godmother etc) or their finest clothing fit for a Ball. We're thinking all things sequins or sparkly (no loose glitter please!), or perhaps your child has a three-piece suit with a cravat just waiting for the right occasion. A party skirt/dress or classic shirt and dress pants/shorts will also fit the dress code, as will accessories such as tiaras and crowns. Footwear should be fit for a Ball - please, no thongs or Crocs. We do not want or expect families to spend money on an outfit for the Ball.

As much as we love superheroes here at Walford, we kindly ask that the Superwoman cape or Spiderman onesie is left at home, and children keep to the Fairy Tale or Ball theme.

Parking (updated)

Guests are invited to park in the Fashoda Street carpark, and once this is full, the Walford carpark on the corner of Unley Road and Fashoda Street, or along Fashoda Street itself. This will provide the easiest access to the entry to the Ball.

* Update: Due to the building works, Commercial Road is no longer a recommended parking option.

Photography

Walford photographer, Hayley McLauchlan, will be present at the event to take photos. For those who would like family photos taken prior to the event, Hayley will be available for photos from 3.50pm in the Chapel courtyard. Once you have had your family photos, Ball guests will be guided to a waiting area indoors, any siblings will be escorted to the créche, and parents/caregivers will be directed to the Heart of Walford to await the procession.

Please note that the procession will begin at 4.30pm, therefore Hayley will only be able to take as many family photos as she can fit in between 3.50pm - 4.25pm. To increase your chances of having photos taken by Hayley, please arrive as early as possible.

Photography of the afternoon is encouraged, however, we ask that you be respectful of other parents' wishes, and not publish photos of other children on social media without seeking the consent of their parents first.

RSVP

Please ensure you RSVP by the due date of Monday 28 April 2025. This will allow us to properly cater for the event, organise adequate activities and supervision for the créche, and make sure we are well prepared for the number of guests joining us.

Expected Behaviour

Children will be expected to behave in a way that befits such a special occasion. Teaching staff will be working with the students in the lead-up so they understand the behavioural expectations (such as no running inside). We will also be teaching the students some dances, and there will be a variety of activity stations around the Ball to keep the children entertained throughout the event.

FAQs

• Can my child bring a friend to the Fairy Tale Ball?
  No, the Fairy Tale Ball is a special opportunity for current Walford families in the ELC and Reception - Year 2.
  
• Will there be food at the Ball?
  Yes, there will be a light afternoon tea served at the Ball, along with water.
  
• My child has allergies, how can I let you know?
  Please advise us of, or confirm their allergies, in the Humanitix RSVP link.
  
• Can parents/caregivers go in and have a look at the Ball?
  As tempting as we know it will be to sneak a look at the Fairy Tale Ball, the party is a lock-in event, and only guests, supervising staff, and student volunteers will be permitted to enter the Helen Reid Hall auditorium. Rest assured, there will be plenty of photos taken, and a video made to showcase highlights of the evening and give the Walford community a glimpse into this very special event.
  
• My child is not permitted to appear on social media, how will this be managed?
  Hayley is very familiar with the students who are not permitted to appear on Walford social media or in printed publications. Every attempt will be made to only feature students in social media posts, who have permission to do so. Rest assured, all students will have their photo taken during the afternoon/evening regardless of whether they can be published on social media. Photos will be shared with parents. Should your child currently not be permitted to appear on social media, but you wish to allow your child to be included in the photos or videos that are published for this particular event, please email Hayley via hmclauchlan@walford.asn.au