Parents
The Brighton College Pre-Prep Parents Association was formed to provide opportunities for special social events during the school year where pupils and their families can come together to enjoy themselves. Profits from these events are donated to charity or put to the benefit of the pupils in the school.
The Parents Association organises an annual Fireworks Party and Easter Fayre. These events are always hugely successful as a result of the committee members, other parents and Pre-Prep teachers working together. Support from parents, whatever form that may take, is greatly appreciated and contributes towards very special memories for our children.
It has been yet another fantastic year for the Pre-Prep Parents Association. Our dedicated parents have worked immensely hard with the help and support of staff, parents and pupils to organise social events and raise money both for the school and for our chosen charities.
Our work commenced at Harvest time when the association displayed the wonderful gifts of fruit and vegetables brought in by the children. The gifts were beautifully displayed in the chapel where Father Robert, Miss Dixon and the children gave a moving and inspirational Harvest Service. All the gifts were then collected by two local charities which provide care, shelter and food for local homeless people.
We then started to organise the Pre-Prep Fireworks Party, which was a great success. Hot dogs were once again served in record time, mulled wine flowed and the children lit up the playground with a dazzle of brightly coloured glow sticks. The fireworks on the Home Ground were a glorious display which delighted children and parents alike.
On the last day of term over 200 children and parents enjoyed a fabulous production of ‘The Wizard of Oz' at the Theatre Royal Brighton. It was a truly wonderful way to begin the Christmas holiday.
Returning in the New Year the association began preparations for the biggest event of the year, the Easter Fayre. This year we chose to support two charities - a local disabled children's riding group based in Plumpton called ‘Hope In The Valley' and ‘Arthritis Care' which provides support for children and adults afflicted with this debilitating disease.
After months of preparation, the superb support of parents during the many collection weeks and requests for donations, the day of the Easter Fayre arrived. It was a gloriously sunny day and the Sports Hall had been transformed into a riot of colour with balloons, bunting and daffodils. Easter Eggs, homemade cakes, plants, donkeys and stalls galore along with our wonderful Easter Bunny (Jeff Norris) and our irrepressible MC Pirate (Colin Lloyd) made the fayre a truly joyous occasion. The fayre was a huge success and raised over £4,300 for our two supported charities.
Over the course of the year the association has supported the school and children in a variety of ways. The sponsorship of the little girl in India continues and is overseen by Mrs Walker and Year 3 pupils. The Parents Association has also funded the very successful visits of author and illustrator Ronda and David Armitage - who write the ‘Lighthouse Keeper' stories; ‘Sounds Rubbish' a musical theatre group who played and made instruments with the children made from recycled materials, and last but not least ‘The Crotchet Factory' musical theatre group.
The Parents Association also contributed over £2,000 towards the purchase of an interactive whiteboard for the Music Room, a digital camera for school use and playground equipment.
Additional responsibilities, such as the second hand uniform sales and tea and coffee prior to the Christmas and Summer Shows, Yellow Moon gift and craft catalogue, continue to generate funds for the school.
I cannot thank the committee members enough for all their hard work. Without these enthusiastic volunteers none of these events would have been possible. Special thanks to Orla Lambe, Mags Moran, Lisa Logan, Eleanor Abercrombie, Vaseema Hamilton, Tina Hansen, Tina Kristjansen, Tania Colella, Christian West, Nicky Chisholm, Alex Rowley, Alice Bentley, Cathy Wilson, Oli Hyde, Rosie Waplington, Carlene Jackson, Dez Skin and Sharon Burbridge.
A big thank you goes also to Sue Wicks, Ann Walker and Janice Morley for their terrific support and organisation. I am looking forward immensely to working with the Parents Association next year in what I am sure will be another highly successful year.
Christina Durnan-WhiteParents Association Chair 2008-2009