The party started with a bit of jazz from the Rose Bay Secondary College stage band, and ended with a combined primary school ensemble of violinists, who enchanted guests with their sweet-sounding Strauss, music so affecting that a certain principal and deputy principal were observed momentarily considering a waltz.

The launch of Community of Schools in the Eastern Suburbs (CoSiES) on Thursday, 8 March at Bondi Beach, was a case of wet CoSiES. Guests were washed into the High Tide Room at Bondi Pavilion by driving rain. But they were rewarded with lunch and an upbeat celebration of the benefits of a strong and diverse public education system.

CoSiES is a collaborative learning community that includes Rose Bay Secondary College and 12 partner primary schools in the eastern suburbs. Enhancing public education from Kindergarten to Year 12, the CoSiES share programs between schools, facilitate professional development opportunities for teachers, and nurture Gifted and Talented students through specific Key Learning Area programs.

Jointly hosted by a Year 1 student from Bronte Public School, Joshua King, and Michelle Tye, one of the captains of Rose Bay Secondary College, the event demonstrated the broad interest in public education. Guests included the Member for Wentworth and Shadow Minister for Communications and Broadband, Malcolm Turnbull; the Member for Vaucluse and Parliamentary Secretary for Tertiary Education and Skills, Gabrielle Upton; the Mayor of Waverley, John Wakefield; Dr Phil Lambert, Regional Director, Sydney (NSW Department of Education and Communities); business leaders, school captains and P&C representatives from all 13 schools.

Costa Georgiadis, the exuberant host of ABC-TV's Gardening Australia, and in his spare time, President of the Rose Bay Public School Council, was the guest speaker. He entertainingly conveyed his passion for public education. But the big surprise, the carefully kept secret - a grand finale involving numerous primary school students - was foiled by the rain. We can't give too much away, but let's just say sunshine, and dry CoSiES, were prerequisites. Maybe next time.