ThanksforFriends

Thanks for Friends

Fireworks

Remember remember the 5th November…… this year saw our annual bonfire and fireworks display fall on Guy Fawkes night with a huge bonfire prepared by school parents and a fantastic display from Firemagic UK.The committee were keen to run with a ‘green theme’ in a continued effort to reduce plastic waste. Plastic glo-products were replaced with eco-glitter face painting and craft products.

The twenty minute fireworks display saw a huge range of colours and sounds ranging from comets to silver fish to falling leaves to brocades; drawing large crowds of parents, teachers and local families to this complimentary event. Hot chocolate and mulled wine along with hot dogs and burgers provided a warming atmosphere to an otherwise chilly but clear and dry evening.

Christmas Fayre

Christmas fundraising started early for the Friends of St John’s -the early bird catches the worm!

Plans for the Christmas Fayre were discussed in October, and the FOSJ sought to involve the wider Community to support a more educational approach to the event. Parents across all year groups generously volunteered to become Business Mentors and led sessions with Years 3 to 8 to support children with their plans.The aims of the session were to help children develop their entrepreneurial and business skills to improve the way they plan and run a Christmas Fayre Stall.The children enjoyed learning about the purpose of the Fayre, how to make it successful and how those skills can be used in the wider world.

On the day of the Fayre it was very clear how hard the children had worked on their stalls individually and in groups.The hall was buzzing with excitement from the children (and staff) and there were lots of additional surprises in store for them. Father Christmas arrived in style surrounded by cheering children, and many visited his cosy grotto throughout the afternoon.

The Friends of St John’s provided warm and cold beverages for children and parents who were visiting the Fayre a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of face glitter, challenges, tombolas andgames.

The Raffle at the end of the Fayre was a great success,with prizes including generous vouchers,food and wine hampers, spa treatments and chocolates galore! Father Christmas announced the winners which included parents, grandparents and teachers.

Christmas Fundraising

The FOSJ worked closely with the Teachers at St John’s to organise personalised Christmas cards for every child at St John’s on-the-Hill. Children produced a beautiful array of designs which were then sent off and returned as Christmas Cards, mugs, mouse-mats and more. Many children used these cards to wish their friends a Merry Christmas, but some cards were sent across the world to reach family and friends far away. The Pre-Prep children and staff also designed their own tea towels for the first time. Each child and teacher in Pre-Prep completed a drawing of themselves and the drawings were then collated together on a red and white tea towel with the message “Seasons Greetings” and the St John’s on-the-Hill logo.The tea towels were extremely popular and had almost completely sold out in the first week of sales! What a delightful memoir that can be used year after year.

Quiz Night

A big highlight of the calendar for the Friends of St Johns was the annual quiz night, and it was lucky for all that the date was moved to earlier in the year than it had been in previous years otherwise it may not have been able to go ahead. Children from Kindergarten to Year 8 helped to supply the questions ranging from local knowledge to English Literature, current events and historical facts. It was a very popular event with staff, parents and some older children joining in the fun. Drinks and nibbles were flowing, and the atmosphere was lively and entertaining.