The St. Nicholas Parents' Association 12 (1969)

THE PARENTS' ASSOCIATION

President: The Headmaster
Chairman 1968/69: W. A. Cosgrove, Esq.

This has been a year in which we have continued the activities of former years and added yet another. Thanks very largely to the efforts of the Ladies we organised a Christmas Bazaar and raised a substantial contribution towards the total sum for the year.

To the physical efforts usually associated with membership of the Association and of the Executive Committee in particular, we added this year the task of laying the foundations for and erecting a storage hut to house the equipment of the Association. In addition a number of attractive side shows were made by Parents for use at the annual Fair. Our thanks are due to all those who participated in these projects. Though we had to pay for the necessary materials there is no doubt that the making of the equipment contributed to a considerable reduction in the expenses of the Fair and, of course, the effect will be even more marked in future years.

Among the allocations of funds during the year were stage curtains and equipment (£300); to music and musical instruments (£65); to improvements to the kitchen in the Junior Common Room (£50); to the Old Boys' Association (£200). There was also the usual contribution to the School General Fund and one to the Library.

In spite of the blizzard on the 7th February there was a good attendance at the film evening organised by Mr. Joiner and his colleagues. This is always a very welcome event and, although it is not strictly an Association activity, we can perhaps this year claim a small share of the credit for a thoroughly enjoyable evening owing to the efforts of Mrs. Parsons and the Ladies who assisted her in providing refreshments. The "Rome" and "River trip" films with the sunny scenes were particularly welcome that evening.

The Social evening in March was exceptionally well organised and enjoyable but disappointingly attended. I do hope many more Parents will turn up to future evenings. Along with the Dinner Dance, which this year was certainly well attended, it is an event where we are not primarily out to raise funds but to foster the social spirit in the Association.

The Fair in July, as sometimes happens, clashed with a number of local events but thanks to the great efforts of Parents and the School we made a net profit of some £670. This reflects great credit on all concerned. Clearly with this example the Association can go on with confidence to another major building project. Most Parents are no doubt aware that the Junior Common Room was the result of the fund-raising activities of the Association in the earlier years of the School. With the uncertainty about the future of the School over the past few years it has not seemed appropriate to contemplate another major project but, now with the prospect of relative stability for some years to come, another venture is worth considering. The School would like additional accommodation in the form of a music centre which, like the Junior Common Room, could be put to other uses. The idea has been accepted as a good one in principle and a Sub-Committee is looking into the matter in more detail. I sincerely hope that in the not too distant future we shall see this proposal come to fruition and shall be able to look at yet another very tangible result of the work of the Association.

So much help having been received from so many people it is difficult co single out individuals for special mention, but it would be wrong of me not to express my particular appreciation of the tremendous efforts of Mrs. Jolly, our Secretary, and Mrs. Parsons who this year organised not only the catering for the School matches etc., but also for the Association's functions. Many new Parents came along to a coffee morning at the start of the School year and learned about these catering activities which are so much appreciated by the Association and the School. My thanks are due to Mrs. Dargavel for taking on the onerous work of the Treasurer. It is a heavy task on Fair day particularly. Thanks are due also to the Old Boys' Association for their help with the Fair and the Social. To the Headmaster and his Staff I offer my particular appreciation for their co-operation with the Association in the past year. I have certainly enjoyed my year as Chairman and wish the Association well in future years. It will certainly continue to have my support.

W. A. COSGROVE (Chairman)