The St. Nicholas Parents' Association 16 (1972-73)

The great temptation for any chairman is to talk of the money the Association has raised for the purpose of making the School an even better place than it is already. But perhaps more important than money in this context is the fact that any school will be the better for the greater interest and involvement of parents in its affairs and life.

We have this year organised more functions for parents than ever before in the Association's history and on some occasions those who have attended, or who have wanted to attend, have been more than the premises could accommodate comfortably. If this is a measure of success, then the Association has had a successful year

We have held three of our renowned cheese and wine dances, each of which attracted over 250 people. More than 80 arrived for our 'all-the-family'' evening in the form of a beetle drive and the hall was full for the Film Night. On that occasion four senior members of the School gave illustrated talks on recent school tours and visits which served to remind us of the debt of gratitude we owe to members of the staff who give so freely of their own time to the running of so many extra-curricular activities.

Something new in our calendar was the St. Nicholas version of 'Friday Night is Music Night' held in February, a military band concert with solo and choral items provided by members of the School. The applause from an audience of nearly 400 has encouraged us to organise another similar concert in the autumn term and we hope that 'Friday Nights' will become a regular feature in our programme.

Our main events are, of course, the annual dinner dance and the Summer Fair. With ever-rising prices and the advent of VAT, it was expected that our dinner would have less support than usual, but we topped all previous attendance figures with 226 guests and broke with tradition by making a small profit.

With continuous rain on the day before the Fair, we feared the worst, but Saturday, July 7th, dawned fine and stayed that way. At the end of the day the total takings were over £1,615 and, after paying expenses, there was at least £1,300 to add to our funds. This is a new record, achieved in large measure because the Fair has become a truly joint effort of the School and the Association. Four hundred and fifty pounds worth of programmes were sold by members of the School, a magnificent achievement. The boys provided interesting and remunerative exhibitions, and it goes without saying that the opportunity to throw wet sponges at prefects attracted queues of those only too willing to pay for the privilege.

All these events have raised a total of over £1,650 nett during the year, and in addition we had sufficient in hand to set aside £300 towards the eventual replacement of the mini-bus bought last year. We are therefore certain to be able to provide the grand piano and the 'Enterprise' sailing dinghy for which the School has asked, as well as being in a position to maintain our record of never having had to turn down any request for help through lack of funds.

If the Association has had a successful year, it is thanks to the willing help of so many. We have had an excellent committee which has been supported by a large number of parents and friends as well as members of the School. At a rough estimate, over 250 people were actively involved in the arrangements for the Fair. Since involvement on this scale is part of the St. Nicholas tradition, perhaps it does not call for special comment. But amongst those who have no connection with the School, and who are therefore deserving of our special thanks, are the members of the Kodak military and dance bands. They have provided their services without charge at three dances, the concert and the Summer Fair in the course of the year, and without them neither the dances nor the concert would have been possible. The fact that they have asked to play and have enjoyed doing so is a measure of the happy atmosphere which pervades the life of the Association.

During the year in which I have had the honour to be its chairman, the Association under the leadership of a seemingly tireless Committee has reached new levels of activity and achievement. I hope I may be allowed to help next year's committee break any records we may have set.

A. R. JONES (Chairman)