Shop makes school activities affordable

An op shop that asks customers to simply pay what they can afford for items has made a whole lot of school activities affordable for the pupils of Stratford Primary School.

The op shop, which operates out of the St Andrew's Church hall, is open two days a week and donates its profits to local schools to help pay for school trips.

On Friday morning Penny Gavan, the op shop's chief volunteer, and Reverend John Mattock presented a $3000 cheque to the primary school made up of proceeds from the charity store.

Penny says each year the the store has grown and grown, and the church is pleased to see the money going back into the Stratford community.

"We are blown away by the support of the St Andrew's Op Shop and look forward to strengthening the school's relationship with the charitable organisation," Kerry Nancarrow, acting principal at Stratford Primary School says.

Aaron Moore, deputy principal, says through a new honour system implemented in the senior school, he would like to establish a working relationship with the store and see students spending time organising donations to earn 'community credits'.

Senior students of Stratford Primary School have now been given the challenge of building a donation bin for the store to encourage more donations of pre-loved treasures.

The St Andrew's Op Shop is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10am - 1pm and is in the church hall on Regan / Miranda St. They welcome donations of clothes, books, toys and other saleable items. Either drop them into the shop or give Reverend John Mattock a call on 06 7628 863 to organise collection.