Project runway

The Cockle Bay School community - and maybe a principal in velvet - will strut and pout   to raise cash for computers, reports Rowena Orejana.
It is probably not the kind of 15 minutes of fame  to which most little boys aspire. But on June 26, Max Calvert  will walk a runway.
"I sort of felt a little bit nervous," says the 10-year-old, although there is no sign of nervousness in his confident, charmingly freckled face.
"But I found that one of my best friends, Callum, will be in the show, so I found that reassuring."
Cockle Bay School is holding a fashion show called CBS in Vogue, next month at Somerville Intermediate. The proceeds will help buy 60 laptops  for the school's Information Computer Technology programme in their strategic plan.
"Reassuring," echoes Kiri Whitford-Joynt, the director of the huge event, admiring the boy's vocabulary. "I like that. It's a nice, long word."
It is hardly a description for handling an event that will put almost 200 people on stage.
"It's a new thing for the school. It's the first time that we are going to do this here. We wanted one big fundraising event rather than a lot of little things. We are hoping to raise around $25,000 to $30,000," says the Cockle Bay mother of two.
The former fashion model turned modelling and deportment tutor is taking everything in her stride. She gives shy 5-year-old Montoya Ottaway a little pep talk and shows her how it's done. A few walks and spins, Montoya starts to smile and strike poses.
"I don't pitch it to them as modelling but as life skills. You walk into a room on your own and you can do it confidently. It's not about becoming a model and going to New York," she says.
The show will feature more than 100 students, 14 teachers plus principal Graeme Lomas, eight parents and 10 past pupils and community members. It includes the latest adult and children's fashions  plus a wearable arts competition among the students.
"There is no particular stipulation as to size, age, ethnicity. We welcome everyone from the different groups because that's life. Everyone deserves a chance to celebrate themselves and not feel that they have to look a particular way, that they are good enough as they are," says Mrs Whitford-Joynt.
Mr Lomas says the show has taken him outside his comfort zone. "It is enjoyable. It's quite disciplined. I hope they give me a velvet suit," he quips, adding he had been told velvet will once again be in vogue as it was in the 70s.
On a more serious note, he says the fundraising will bring the school closer to achieving a ratio of one computer for every five students.
"A computer is a necessary tool for teaching, but it is also a very expensive tool. We get very little help from the Government."
Max is just happy to pitch in. "It seems pretty cool that I'm going to be helping out the school. I'm a school leader so it's kind of my duty."
Next top model
What CBS In Vogue
When Saturday, June 26, 6pm (doors open at 5pm)
Where Somerville Intermediate
Dress Black and bling