Prior Park Parents’ Association
The aims of the PPPA are:
- To raise funds to pay for the things the school would love to have, or do, for the children but cannot necessarily make a priority at the time.
- To make a financial contribution to major projects - for example an Astroturf pitch.
- To offer the opportunity for Parents and Staff to meet socially and get to know each other better by both organising and attending events.
- TEAMWORK!! it is this we feel that really makes the School buzz!!
It is felt the Governors and the Trustees can often be persuaded to consider major expenditure if they can see that the parents are behind the project and are prepared to help.
Annual Report 2005 - 2006
The PPPA have had another super year this year, raising so far, in excess of £12,000.
Beginning in September we held our 23rd Annual Rugby Festival in which over 20 of the finest Prep Schools in the country were invited to play at Prior Park. Over the two days we catered for nearly 1000 people and received great compliments (and lots of money!) for our burgers, hot-dogs, ‘proper’ coffee and most of all our Chocolate Fountain!! I’ve yet to visit a school who can surpass us with refreshments!!
With the Barbados Tour approaching, a Sporting Dinner was held at the Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester during the last weekend in November. We raised over £8,000 that evening alone with some fantastic Auction Lots, Dream Team Competition and Name the Teddy Bear!
Then after half term we had our first annual Christmas Fayre in the School Hall. Some ”outside” traders along with parents and the Year 8 Business Enterprise filled the room with Christmas goodies. The Hall was soon buzzing with lots of visitors and the wonderful smell of mince pies and mulled wine. It was a huge success and we intend to hold this year’s Fayre on Saturday 2nd December.
The following Saturday we had a fantastic Adult Christmas Party to which the Year 8s were invited as a special treat. The food was fabulous and the atmosphere electric. The evening ended with us all being showered by snow while singing White Christmas - unforgettable!!
We then all had a much needed break, but were soon organising a Race Night early in February. Probably the most fun event to date, Mr Hobern and Mr Barton both dressed up as (most improbable!) Jockeys for the evening. We had a race track complete with water jump and fences, down which fancy-dressed parents and teachers raced, amid much noise and excitement!! A Fish & Chip van supplied supper!!
During Open Morning at the beginning of March we sold refreshments and Easter goodies to present and prospective parents and children for which we, and our superbly behaved pupils received great compliments. The same evening Cricklade Country Club was the venue for a rather unusual Murder Mystery Black Tie Ball. After solving the crime we danced till midnight!
Our Sports Day and Summer Fayre was held on Saturday 24th June. We barbecued, served traditional cream teas, provided a tuck shop for the children, a bouncy castle, disco, numerous book, toy and White Elephant stalls, plus a raffle, welly tossing and more.
Our last project for the term was a Caribbean Party on Saturday 1st July. The pool was opened, we had a steel band, disco, limbo dancing, lots of fun and games, but the disappointment was losing the World Cup, watched on a large plasma screen!
Future Events:
