The Parents’ Association has launched an appeal to raise £10,000 by September 2012 towards the cost of a new School Minibus.  This will continue a long running tradition of the PA supporting the school in this way and should equate to an equal share with the school in meeting the cost of a brand new minibus replacement.  The PA Committee are delighted to support the school and the students in this way, offering comfortable, safe and convenient transport for regular and often extra-curricular activities.

As parents may be aware, the school operate 2 minibuses to transport the students on outings, away sports fixtures, theatre trips, expeditions etc and the buses are constantly in use.  Consequently, they require high maintenance and eventual replacement.  One of the minibuses has in the last few months has come to the end of its useful life and will be replaced by a new one – initially the school will fund this and the PA Minibus Appeal will pay back the school £10,000 by September 2012.

The Parents’ Association will therefore be dedicating a number of fundraising activities and events towards the Minibus Appeal.   Initially, we will be linking our 2 main Summer events, the Party in the Park on Friday 9th July and our support of Sports Day on Monday 19th July to the Minibus Appeal.  We have also launched a Grand Draw that will link to these Summer Events and be drawn at Sports Day.

The Minibus Appeal will be in addition to the PA’s other support of the school, including the annual Challenge Awards, awards at Prizegiving and many other specific projects and activities.

Tickets for the Party in the Park (£7 adults, £3 students) and Grand Draw raffle tickets (£1 each, or £5 per book of 5) are available from the School Office.

The September programme is ready and about to go public. Look on our website for the Prospectus. Over 40 courses are on offer starting on week beginning Monday 27 September. The programme lasts nine weeks, with most courses offered initially as five week courses with the option of a four week continuation. Evenings are Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Time is usually 7.00 pm – 8.30/9.00 pm. Enrolment is by post or on the evening of the first class. All classes are guaranteed to start. Free coffee, tea and biscuits are available most evenings.

A new initiative is the Family Learning Programme on Wednesday evenings from 5.15 – 6.45 pm. Tea, coffee, squash, cookies and biscuits will be available. A dad, grandparent, mum, other family member or carer is invited to bring their child and enjoy learning together. On offer are Spanish, Computing and Internet Safety. Each course lasts for three weeks, costs £30 and children are free. (Please contact Marianne Watkins if you would like/need to bring another child).  Continuations are possible and adult courses in computing and Spanish are available. A course for Year 7 Maths is for parents only.

New courses this September include Arabic, German, Beginners Bridge, Film Making, Acoustic Guitar and Salsa Dancing.