Our ever popular Christmas Fair attracted scores of parents and children alike. They weren't to be disappointed as there was an array of stalls, games, tombolas for all. The event, as is the tradition was opened with two songs sung by all the infants classes (Reception, Year 1 and Year 2). They treated us to two songs 'Gloria' and 'Things about a camel' from their forthcoming nativity play 'The Camels Arms'. The funds raised from the fair will go towards purchasing stage blocks for the school which are used all year round. There's also the contribution towards the cost of school outing to 'Jack and the Beanstalk' as well as supplying helpers to assist with the outing.
This year saw a great response for donations as toys, gifts,
bric -a-
brac poured in and chocolate and alcohol was donated by grateful children in exchange for not having to wear their school uniform! Many of the stalls are becoming regulars including
Derian House who to quote their website 'Care offered at
Derian House Children’s Hospice is focused on specialist palliative
respite and terminal care for children who may not live to reach adulthood.' selling their gifts, Christmas cards and calendars. Ruth
Symonds of
Phoenix Cards had a very impressive stall displaying a variety of goods including greetings cards,
giftwrap, accessories, postcards, etc. An extra bonus was the offer if you mention St. Francis PTA when ordering online at their website:
www.pheonixtrading.co.uk/web/ruthsymonds we get a 10% donation. We also had present a lovely array of wreaths from Ruth
Marriner. The toys donated by St. Francis parents were on sale in the middle of the hall and some early Christmas presents were snapped up and there was bargains to be had as well. For those kids who love to read
CJS Books for Kids was of interest with a fine display and plenty of different titles.
New this year was the stall selling handmade cards by Sarah Bernasconi and Shelia Wright. It drew many admirers and it was great to have something new. To emphasise the schools strong links with St. Francis Church of England Church, the St. Francis Guides were present which was popular with the children who attended. Also popular with the children was the stall manned by Miss Ryding (Year 2 teacher) and she was kept very busy. Busy was also the word to describe the chocolate and alcohol tombola as long queues formed and some were ready for a bit of chocolate or alcohol when they reached the front! Mrs Kennedy was selling staff Christmas cards and Emma and Lyn had a delicious selection of homemade muffins and cakes which had to be guarded carefully in the staff room to ensure they made it to the stall.
And if that wasn't enough there was our raffle which boasted some great prizes and helped add to the total. Father Christmas again took time out from his very busy schedule and fly in on his sleigh from Lapland to meet the children and hear what they wanted for Christmas. He was kept busy as many children went to see him in his grotto. Make sure you put Friday 3rd December 2010 in your dairies for our next Christmas fair.
In this case it was in front of you the cheque for £650 that is presented by the St. Francis PTA to meet half the cost of the tickets for all the schools children to visit the panto. This year it was 'Jack and the Beanstalk' and it proved very popular with the children and adults alike. Despite being in a hi-tech age of Xbox 360's, Nintendo Ds's, WII's, etc live theatre can still entertain the children. This was apparent as many came back hoarse after doing so much shouting! As well as donating towards the cost of the tickets we were able to supply helpers to assist on the five coach loads of children that went to the Red Brick Theatre. The photo shown above shows Simon Bennett - PTA committee member presenting the cheque for £650 to Mrs. Thomas Headmistress of St. Francis Church of England School.
Our ever popular Christmas Fair attracted scores of parents and children alike. They weren't to be disappointed as there was an array of stalls, games, tombolas for all. The event, as is the tradition was opened with two songs sung by all the infants classes (Reception, Year 1 and Year 2). They treated us to two songs 'Gloria' and 'Things about a camel' from their forthcoming nativity play 'The Camels Arms'. The funds raised from the fair will go towards purchasing stage blocks for the school which are used all year round. There's also the contribution towards the cost of school outing to 'Jack and the Beanstalk' as well as supplying helpers to assist with the outing.
respite and terminal care for children who may not live to reach adulthood.' selling their gifts, Christmas cards and calendars. Ruth Symonds of Phoenix Cards had a very impressive stall displaying a variety of goods including greetings cards, giftwrap, accessories, postcards, etc. An extra bonus was the offer if you mention St. Francis PTA when ordering online at their website: www.pheonixtrading.co.uk/web/ruthsymonds we get a 10% donation. We also had present a lovely array of wreaths from Ruth Marriner. The toys donated by St. Francis parents were on sale in the middle of the hall and some early Christmas presents were snapped up and there was bargains to be had as well. For those kids who love to read CJS Books for Kids was of interest with a fine display and plenty of different titles. 
The non-uniform days we organise are a huge hit with the children juniors and infants alike. For a mere donation of a bottle (wine, spirits, bubble bath, etc) from each Junior school pupil and chocolates from the infants to our Christmas Fair tombola they were able to attend school without wearing their uniforms. Parents were pestered to ensure they took something so they could shed their 'dreaded' uniforms for the day! A selection of pupils from Year 2 posed for the cameras (see above) giving the 'thumbs up' in support (Well nearly all a couple got their thumbs upside down by accident, so they said).
The arrival of pupil inspired Christmas Cards brought joy to children and parents alike and it a was great for them to see their designs become reality. Despite the limited amount of time (forced upon us due to the deadline set by the card manufacturers. Ed.) the Design a Christmas card fund-raiser had a very good response with about 50 children sending in designs to be produced as Christmas cards. There was a variety of designs and it shone through that a lot of effort had been put in and it was great to see their designs go from the ‘drawing board’ to the finished article. Plus those receiving them will really appreciate an ‘in-house’ family production! You can click o
n the picture above of an example of a Christmas Card design and it also shows that on the reverse side the card has raised funds for St. Francis PTA.
Many of you out there will soon be preparing to do your Christmas shopping and if current trends are anything to go by you'll be doing your shopping from the comfort of your home. On line shopping is becoming a more convenient and in some cases a cheaper way of buying goods. Courtesy of a site called 'The Giving Machine' our funds will receive a donation every time you make a purchase with one of over 200 on line retailers which include eBay, WHSmiths, Halfords, British Airways, Currys, etc that are signed up to 'The Giving Machine'.
The PTA funds were given a nice boost on a cool November night and all present witnessed an excellent fireworks display made up of the fireworks donated on the night. The ever popular spud pie was again well received lovingly prepared by some of your PTA Committee members a big thank you must go to Mrs. Smalley for her help in this. When it was announced there was sec
onds most people didn't decline.
