Parents' Day

[molemother]

After going to Parents' Day recently, I can't help feeling that it is such a missed opportunity for raising some good old fashioned cash. Cash that wouldn't have to come from the foundation with strings attached to it's dispersal.
I work at a junior school, and yes I realize that the scale is not the same scale but our Summer fair is our main fund raising event of the year.
We have exceptionally bright children at CH who are more than capable of thinking up some money spinning events and amazing grounds to hold such an event in. And while we're thinking about throw open the gates to the surrounding area, let them see what we can do and take their money off them at the same time.
This is where a PTA comes in handy, get together the parents make us feel wanted and let us do our bit for the school. Am I right in thinking that there is no such thing a a PTA at CH please correct me if I'm wrong on that point. It would give a whole new meaning to Parents' Day.

[Mid A 15]

After going to Parents' Day recently, I can't help feeling that it is such a missed opportunity for raising some good old fashioned cash. Cash that wouldn't have to come from the foundation with strings attached to it's dispersal.
I work at a junior school, and yes I realize that the scale is not the same scale but our Summer fair is our main fund raising event of the year.
We have exceptionally bright children at CH who are more than capable of thinking up some money spinning events and amazing grounds to hold such an event in. And while we're thinking about throw open the gates to the surrounding area, let them see what we can do and take their money off them at the same time.
This is where a PTA comes in handy, get together the parents make us feel wanted and let us do our bit for the school. Am I right in thinking that there is no such thing a a PTA at CH please correct me if I'm wrong on that point. It would give a whole new meaning to Parents' Day.

Good point.

We used to make £2k clear profit from the Summer Fayre alone at my daughters' primary school which varied in size between 150-200 pupils in total.

We do not live in a rich area although as a Church School there is some sense of community but that should also be true of CH.

What is the figure for donation governorships now? £12k ish? A Summer Fayre at CH given the larger size of the School should be capable of approaching £12k I reckon.

[englishangel]

Absolutely. The school my offspring attended serves the local council estate (and don't even get me started on the latest OFSTED report) but we easily cleared £3K from 140 or so 5-11 year olds.

There is usually far less participation at secondary level but molemother is quite correct about the imaginatiion which clearly abounds at CH

[ReallyMissingHer]

I went expecting to have to part with cash, was a bit

They could even compete in houses to raise the most, could run their own "apprentice" style fundraising ideas etc etc

[NEILL THE NOTORIOUS]

I think I see a problem with this idea ---
Firstly -- letting in the "Locals" with their welcome cash, would entail -- I imagine -- their offspring as well.

CH has always been -- rightly --concerned with bringing infection into a closed community

Secondly --- If I have to have a "Pass" to get me into CH on Old Blues Day -- I assume this is for reasons of "Security" --
(I may be wrong, and it may only be that they know who I am !!! )

In this day and age of Paranoia about Elf and Safety and Security -- I imagine there would have to be a lot of "Thinking"

As a Chairman of Governors of a school, I always was in favour of raising a bit of cash, with Sports Days and Open Days etc.
But I think CH is "Different"---- Praise be !

What do others think ?

[molemother]

Exactly Reallymissingher, how about inter house old fashioned go-kart races up and down the half mile with running betting!. Rugby or cricket matches to keep the dads happy. A very twee high tea tent, oh I could go on for hours with the things they could do even a very o t t palm reading tent. String quartet on the lawn. And then there is always the possibility of inviting vendors from outside and charging them a pitch fee. We had our school fair at my daughters school this weekend and it's only small but we raised a clear profit of £3,500 (mind you I think most of it came of the two tombola stands we had, the kids love them).

Yes I understand about health issues Neill, but these children are home every third week end so are coming into contact with bugs all the time, and quite honestly it is often my son who is bringing infection of some type home to his sister rather than the other way around.

[midget]

On the one occasion when I visited CH since leaving Hertford, I was surprised at the lack of security. We went by train the day before OB day to watch the dinner parade (on the advice of a member of this forum) and just wandered in.
That was 2 years ago, and maybe things have changed.

[englishangel]

Exactly Reallymissingher, how about inter house old fashioned go-kart races up and down the half mile with running betting!. Rugby or cricket matches to keep the dads happy. A very twee high tea tent, oh I could go on for hours with the things they could do even a very o t t palm reading tent. String quartet on the lawn. And then there is always the possibility of inviting vendors from outside and charging them a pitch fee. We had our school fair at my daughters school this weekend and it's only small but we raised a clear profit of £3,500 (mind you I think most of it came of the two tombola stands we had, the kids love them).

Yes I understand about health issues Neill, but these children are home every third week end so are coming into contact with bugs all the time, and quite honestly it is often my son who is bringing infection of some type home to his sister rather than the other way around.

and they are clearly in and out of town all the time, (see SHOES), and many staff live out and have offspring at other schools. It is hardly a closed community, even Hertford wasn't.

[molemother]

On the many times during the past four years that I have had to take things down to CH that have been forgotten after leave weekends or holidays I have NEVER been stopped at the security gate. I have walked into the boarding house via the back door and all around looking for Matron and NEVER been stopped or questioned as to why I was there.

[NEILL THE NOTORIOUS]

AH WELL ! --- yes, I understand how CH has changed, but please forgive me if I cling to what are treasured Memories !
I suppose we are straying on to what was another Topic -- last year !

I liked the ideas of Tea Tents and Go Kart racing --- but I must tell you that at a Council Meeting, a Double-barelled named Lady thought that too much "Sport" was being played on the Recreation Ground -- honest !
I remarked, that what we needed was a Bandstand, and Deck Chairs ---- and the aforementioned D.B.L broke in , with "What a good Idea Councillor Evans ---Clerk -- would you Minute that ? "
Everybody was in muffled hysterics and I have been told that, if ever a Bandstand appears -- it will be dedicated to me !

Sometimes IRONY is wasted !!

[englishangel]

near where my daughter lives in Canterbury there is a small park with quite a broad path through the middle. On one side of the path (the side of some lovely Georgian houses) you can picnic and such like (there is a teabar there too), on the other side there is a small children's playground , a bandstand (recently renovated) and a lot of young people playing games. It is a lovely clean tidy place and very well used by all sections of the community.

[NEILL THE NOTORIOUS]

Fine ! but the Recreation Ground to which the DB Lady referred, is the best in Dorset, and caters for Tennis, (4Courts) Soccer (4 Pitches ) Cricket( A well-maitained, and roped off square ) A Dog- walking Field and a large Picnic Area.
It also houses the Scout and Guide Halls a Pavilion,Changing rooms and a Tea Room.

So you see why her remark about "Too much Sport being played" engendered such hilarity -- That's what it's FOR !
I'm afraid that I could not resist the reply about Banddstand and Deck Chairs --- which she took seriously !

I know the little Park, of which you speak --- I used to live in Wingham Green -- just East of Canterbury !

ONE -- of my 28 Homes --- I trust I am in the last !

[englishangel]

Dane John. I don't know how long ago you lived there Neil but you would probably recognise it, probably not changed much in 50+ years, thought the other side of the city wall has changed considerably, in the last 15. Met my cousin near Westgate for lunch a couple of weeks ago and she remembers the student residences going up between the city wall and the East Station when her daughter was at Kent Uni.

Presumably there is one more awaiting you, not too soon I hope.

[ailurophile]

by molemother on Mon Jul 06, 2009 1:48 pm

After going to Parents' Day recently, I can't help feeling that it is such a missed opportunity for raising some good old fashioned cash. Cash that wouldn't have to come from the foundation with strings attached to it's dispersal.
I work at a junior school, and yes I realize that the scale is not the same scale but our Summer fair is our main fund raising event of the year.
We have exceptionally bright children at CH who are more than capable of thinking up some money spinning events and amazing grounds to hold such an event in. And while we're thinking about throw open the gates to the surrounding area, let them see what we can do and take their money off them at the same time.
This is where a PTA comes in handy, get together the parents make us feel wanted and let us do our bit for the school. Am I right in thinking that there is no such thing a a PTA at CH please correct me if I'm wrong on that point. It would give a whole new meaning to Parents' Day.

Hear hear, Molemother! I wasn't sure what to expect of the new format Parents' Day (vaguely anticipated that it might be a bit like the Open Days, with the school 'on show'), but most of the parents I spoke to were distinctly underwhelmed... A Summer Fair type event would not only be a fund-raising opportunity, but also provide parents with some family-focussed entertainment to enjoy with their children.

[NEILL THE NOTORIOUS]

EnglishAngel --- I think this might be a good New Topic ----

I want no Memorials, Gravestones, or other permament "Reminders" of how long it is, since the grass was mown, or the dead flowers removed. since the "Shrine" was visited-- I shall be cremated and my ashes scattered to the winds off Old Harry Rocks near Poole (A favourite Sailing Point of mine)
If you belive in Ressurection and an After Life then it is not I
and if you don't -- then it is still not I --- but a disposal of "Packaging" problem !---(In any case !)

I have made arrangements that at my Funeral --- the Coffin leaves the Church -- unaccompanied to the Crematorium.
The only other stipulation I have made is, that if anyone sings the 23rd Psalm to "Crimond" --- I'll haunt 'em !
Our Organist and Choirmaster has threatend to work bits of the tune into his Voluntaries ! !

I wonder what others think ?