The PPA does so much good for the school and the committee are all so grateful for the support we get from the parent body.  Since I have been on the committee, we have paid for the dorms to have their current themes, the reading tardis in the library, the 'Alex Halliday Pavilion', the smaller pavilion, art supplies, astro turfing the quad, to mention but a few. In addition, we have raised many thousands of pounds for local, national and international charities.

Most recently, the PPA have paid for the new information screen in the tunnel, the new cricket bag store (currently being built), and the new projector and screen in the Pilgrims’ Hall.  We also have some new Lego tech coming for the IT department and some changeable display cases for the art department.

Last term we had two very successful large events, with the Lunar New Year Lunch arranged by Jess Xu and others from the Chinese community.  It was lovely to see 60+ parents come together to celebrate the event.  We then had a fun Quiz Evening where Robert Margossian and I delivered eight rounds of entertaining questions and Sam Birks and her Catering team produced the most delicious curry.

We had a Breakfast in the Yard and Pre-prep Coffee Morning which were well attended.  The Book Sale was such a success we are running it again this term.

Last but by no means least, I want to do a big shout-out to the Second Hand Uniform Shop team.  They do an amazing job of sorting things and keeping it all going.

So to this term ... we have a lot going on with the Breakfast in the Yard coming up soon on Saturday 11 May. The Pre-Prep Coffee Morning will be on Friday 7 June. 

The highlight of the Summer Term will be the Pilgrims' Festival Weekend on 21 and 22 June.  We will kick off with the School of Rock Event where bands will perform, largely made up from the senior school, the staff and parents. This will follow with the Sponsored Walk starting and finishing at school at 09:00. There will be a mini-fete leading into Inter Set Cricket in the afternoon.  The day will conclude with a BBQ and the Staff v Parents Cricket Match.

Finally, there will be the Athletics Finals on Saturday 29 June and I would like to encourage all year groups to use this as an opportunity to hold a year group party/picnic. There is plenty of space at the end of Wolvesey.

As I leave the committee at the end of this term, I hand on the role of Chair to very good hands. I am pleased to announce that Sarah Noble was unanimously voted in to take on the role.

For those of you who do not know Sarah, apart from being a doctor, she has two boys in Year 8 and Year 5.  She has sat on the committee for four years, been in charge of the PPA charity program and at various times of the year can be seen up a ladder pinning Pudsey ears to various parts of the school.

Sarah will lead the most fantastic committee who all put in so much effort to make the events what they are. The Committee is open to all parents and anyone wishing to assist in helping to run these events, please email me on gburnand@jmchase.co.uk or grab me in the yard at drop off or pick up.

George Burnand
PPA Chair