Prep Guild

PREP GUILD REPORT

Prep parents, which we will look to repeat in 2023. We supported the Year 8s with the Family Fun Morning. Another gloriously sunny event, and a superb team effort raising money for the House Charities. Again, we couldn’t have done it without the wider community supporting the Committee’s efforts. The Prep Parents’ Cricket Team, made up of dads from across the year groups put in a sterling performance in their match against the Ousels (teachers’ team). A minor defeat made up for by some great moments and memories made.

Did we save the best event ‘til last? Maybe! The Guild Centenary Ball, a joint effort for the Prep and Upper School, was three years in the planning, but wow, it was worth it. Everything came together superbly for a night to remember – we can’t wait to do

WORDS BY Mrs Emily Hudson, Chair of the Prep Guild

The Prep Guild would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone in the school community who has supported all our events this year. It has been a fantastic return to ‘normality’ after the pandemic with many of our favourite events back in the calendar, as well as some new ones too.

We started the year with the Macmillan Coffee Morning – with the addition of fete-style games. The sun shone for us and it was so great to see everyone in good spirits having a go and enjoying themselves. Big thanks to all who baked and supported the event, to the parents who helped out and a special thank you to the teachers who were happy to have wet sponges thrown at them – all in aid of such a good cause.

November saw our first ever Bingo and Burritos Night, and what a night it was! The tension built with everyone taking the bingo element very seriously and we all laughed so much as the winners took home the tackiest prizes including a shopping trolley and a year’s supply of toilet roll!

As Christmas approached, Covid precautions returned, so the Prep Guild served mulled wine and mince pies to parents outside in a gazebo after the Carol Services. Fortunately, the Christmas Gift Sale event was able to go ahead with our wonderful army of wrappers tackling over 2,000 gifts. Thanks to the school staff for all their support in ensuring the boys could come to the shop and we hope that the gifts were well received. We held Wreath Making Workshops with expert tuition at the fabulous Howbury Hall,

Right: The warm glow of lights which heralded the Guild event of the year, the Guild Centenary Ball accompanied by a glass of fizz and homemade canapés kindly provided by our very own Prep Guild chefs.

We partnered with Castle Comedy for a night at the Quarry Theatre and enjoyed discounted tickets and a reception area for another. What with Sports Day, New Parents Evenings and the Year 3 and 4 Sports Afternoon, there have been lots of opportunities to bring the community together this year. We are so grateful to everyone who has supported our efforts and will report on the year’s fundraising at our AGM. As Chair, I would like to thank everyone on the committee, school staff and parent helpers for being so brilliant, especially Melissa Morgan, Jen Hayes, Sharmila Sohanpal and Nancy Sarro, for all of their time and dedication to the Prep Guild.

Cheers to fundraising, fellowship and fun!