Friends of Hursley School Page
FRIENDS OF HURSLEY SCHOOL
Autumn Newsletter 2011
Dear Friends
I hope you had a great summer and managed to find some sunshine amidst the showers! I’d like to extend a very warm welcome to the new parents and teachers who have come to John Keble for the first time, and say welcome back to those of us who have been here before!
Apologies in advance for the length of this newsletter but I hope it reflects just how much great work is going on.
Having been Chair for the past 3 years, and as many of you know, I will be standing down over the next term, but am staying ‘in position’ for the time being to help handover to an incoming Chair. If you are interested in this challenging but extremely rewarding role then please get in contact with me or another member of the Committee for an informal chat!
As parents/guardians of pupils attending John Keble school, we are all automatically members of the ‘Friends of Hursley School’. The FOHS has a very simple objective:
“to advance the education of pupils in the school in particular by developing effective relationships between the staff, parents and others associated with the School; engaging in activities or providing facilities or equipment which support the School and advance the education of the pupils.”
The Committee’s role within the Friends is to inspire, coordinate and develop all activities suggested by the members that help meet the objective. As such, the existing team is made up of a selection of parents and friends, with representatives from Reception to Year 6, ensuring easier communication channels and a balanced breadth of opinion on issues affecting the children and the school. Anyone who is interested in either being on the Committee or in helping in specific ways is welcome to have a chat with one of the members or come along to a Committee meeting to get a feel for what goes on. New members, ideas and feedback are always welcome and coming to a meeting does not mean you have to become involved on a regular basis.
The Friends Meet & Greet & AGM is on Wednesday 9th November, at the School (details below). A good opportunity to hear what we’ve been up to over the past year, meet the existing committee and possibly get involved!
In the meantime, we have some great social and fundraising events lined up for the Autumn term.
Sunday 25th September from 10am, UKA Affiliated HURSLEY 10K AND FUN RUN (1.5k)
Thank you to all those parents who took up the challenge of the 5th Annual Hursley10k Mutli-terrain race and all the children who took part in the Fun Run – well done and we hope you enjoyed the day.
Also a big thank you to all of the 10k Committee and the Friends and volunteers on the day who made the event such a success. This is a fabulous fundraiser on the Friends Calendar and the money it raises is a valuable asset to the school.
Friday 7th October, HARVEST FESTIVAL DISCO, School
This is a drop and leave event in two stages:
KS1 from 5.30pm to 6.30pm
KS2 from 6.45pm to 7.45pm.
Please ensure that children are picked up on time as volunteers cannot take responsibility for unsupervised children within school or the car park area. Please note: drop off as usual in the hall but pick up will be from the library. Tickets are £2.50 (to include a drink and a biscuit) and will be available at school pick up from Friends representatives (you’ll see or hear us!!) or from the school office nearer the time.
Wednesday 9th November from 7pm, MEET & GREET & ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Come along and hear all about our past year. Find out where the fundraising money has been spent, all about forthcoming events and details of the School’s “wish list” for next year. Cheese and wine will be served and all are welcome.
Thursday 17th November from 7pm to 9pm, LADIES SHOPPING NIGHT
A fabulous opportunity to purchase gifts and Christmas items while enjoying a glass of mulled punch and a mince pie. Tickets: £2.00. If you are interested in helping or wish to run your own stall and promote your own business/craft - please contact Doreen Joseph (Ivo’s mum) on 01962 853570.
Saturday 19th November from 9.30am to 12, SCHOOL GROUNDS WORKING PARTY
All ages welcome to help with a tidy up of the school grounds. This essential maintenance saves the school money by limiting the use of outside contractors to carry out this work. Tools provided and no experience necessary and all for free tea and biscuits and a sense of satisfaction!
Friday 2nd December
Non uniform day in School in return for chocolates/cakes/bottles for Christmas Bazaar.
Saturday 3rd December from 11.30am to 2pm, CHRISTMAS BAZAAR, School
Masses of stalls and entertainment for friends and family, visit Father Christmas in his Grotto and the ever-popular Secret Shop where children can purchase presents for parents, grandparents and siblings – in private! We are looking to get a small team together to organise the various aspects of the event: anyone who wishes to get involved (helping with refreshments, running a stall etc) or take a stall if you have a craft or business you wish to promote, please contact Tracey Lipscombe (Maddison’s mum, year 1), Bev Brimble (Oliver’s mum, year R) or Anna Budge (Amelia year 2 and Charlie year 1’s mum).
And finally (phew!!) ….the easiest way in the world to raise money….
Easy Fundraising
Please don’t forget to use shop and search online via www.easyfundraising.org.uk/fohs. If you are buying Christmas presents, renewing car insurance or just getting something on Amazon, going through easy fundraising can raise money for the school - at the click of a button and at no cost to yourself. Why not make it your homepage – now!
So, as you can see we have a packed programme for what is always a long, but fun, Autumn term. The Friends works because all of us are prepared to give up a little of our time and energy to ensure that we put on fun, social and (sometimes) profit-making events. In this way, we are able to pay for the extras that make John Keble the fantastic, friendly School that it is.
If you can help out in any way, please contact me on 775695 to have a chat or catch me at School.
Best wishes and thank you for your continued support.
Amanda and the team
This month’s top visiting tip: Have you been to Itchen Valley country park recently? A great revamp of the park area as well as pond dipping, nature trails and orienteering!
A quick reminder of Who’s Who on the
Friends of Hursley School Committee
Amanda Apps – Interim Chair
Anna Budge – Vice Chair
Alison Hodges - Treasurer
Imogen King – Secretary
Hannah Evans – Communication
Sara Rowden – Publicity & 10k liaison
Mark Ward – School Liaison
Ali Lacey, Hilary Wells, Sharon Bolt, Gill Newcombe
