The St. Nicholas Parents' Association 11 (1968)

THE PARENTS' ASSOCIATION

President: The Headmaster
Chairman 1966-67 K. S. Allen, Esq
Chairman 1967-68 P. F. Osborne, Esq

The last Parents' Association report concluded by inviting first and second year parents to help with and participate in our activities and this they did in good measure at all the events which were organised and sponsored by the Association.

In March 1967 we held a successful Social Evening in the Junior Common Room and it was appropriate that Mr. Wall, the architect, should unveil a plaque commemorating its completion. In honour of a past Chairman, Mr. T. C. Stoddart, a handsome silver trophy, The Stoddart Cup", was presented by the Association to the School for competition in swimming. St. Nicholas Fair 1967 was as popular as ever, and despite the attraction of other events an overall profit of £477 was realised. Part of this sum helped to purchase two first-class table tennis tables for use in the JC.R. and a donation of £100 was made to the School General Fund, as well as contributing £200 to the Old Boys' Association. In December, a Beetle Drive proved highly entertaining, the presence of younger children with their parents being a welcome and successful innovation.

The New Year 1968 saw in January the Film Evening, showing many of the school outside activities on colour slides and we were most grateful to a member of the school staff, Mr. Samways, for his magnificent illustrated talk about his V.S.O. year in Nigeria. March produced another Grand Social Evening admirably organised by our hard-working secretary, Mrs. Joan Jolly, and in early April a Careers evening with emphasis on "Career Opportunities in the Civil Service was sponsored by the Association. We are grateful to Mr. Levy, a member of the Executive Committee, for arranging the services of D. W. E. Wightman who proved to be a witty, entertaining and knowledgeable speaker. In May, the Annual Dinner Dance, which was well attended, proved to be a good night out. It was our privilege to welcome representatives of the school pupil population and we would be delighted to see members of the School staff at future functions of this nature. A new activity which proved to be highly enjoyable was a cricket match on 29th June between the Parents and the Boys. The Boys were all out for 108 and the Parents in a spirited reply were narrowly beaten by 30 runs. Our thanks to Mr. Dixon for his efforts in making this match such a success.

Largely owing to the very able organising ability of one of our vice-presidents, Mrs. Rhoda Henderson, the 1968 Fair attained record receipts on the ground of over £900. Mrs. Henderson and the sub-committee responsible for this organisation and every helper have earned the gratitude of all the school by this magnificent achievement.

Let us not forget also the services provided by the ladies of the two Catering Committees who, under the direction of Mrs. Peggy Taylor and Mrs. Vera Parsons, surmount all sorts of difficulties to provide catering at Association Functions and School matches. To Mrs. Joan Jolly, our indefatigable secretary, Mr. Harry Booth our Treasurer and all committee members who employ their talents and give their time to such good effect, my grateful thanks. In conclusion to everyone who has supported the Association, thank you. For me it has been a privilege to have served as Chairman and the wholehearted and happy co-operation of the Headmaster and his staff with my committee has enabled the Parents' Association to grow in strength and stature for the general good.

PAUL OSBORNE