n COMMUNITY NEWS Record turnout for Friends fundraiser

THE Friends of Marlwood School held their annual quiz at the end of January to a record turnout of 126 people, raising £700 in the process.

As Marlwood School is celebrating 50 years at the Alveston site this academic year, quiz contestants were challenged with a round of questions dedicated to the history of the school.

So it was we learned that not only is Paul Helliker a fabulous quiz master, but he is also the longestserving teacher currently at the school, with 32 years of service.

Mr Helliker put together such a fun and engaging quiz - congratulations on your long service to Marlwood School.

Thanks also to Deep Blue in Thornbury who supplied over 100 portions of freshly cooked fish and chips, veggie burgers or sausages, and Racks Bar and Grill in Bristol for its terrific catering, bar and raffle prize. We are grateful to all those who donated raffle prizes and everyone who came along and supported us on the night.

Congratulations also to the winning teacher’s team “Pea Pod”, we hope to see you back next year to defend the coveted title.

Fortunately for some of us, "Disce aut Discede" was not strictly observed at the Friends of Marlwood’s annual quiz.

Former Marlwood pupils reading this will recognise the school’s old motto, “Learn or Leave”. Thankfully, having learned this little bit of local history, those of us flunking this question were not shown the door until the quiz had reached its happy conclusion!

At our recent AGM, Sam Curry was appointed as our new chair, with Claire Kedward and Sarah Walters both staying on as secretary and treasurer, respectively.

As she steps down as Chair, all of us wish to thank Saffia Bullock for leading the committee so ably the past three years.

FOMS is also pleased to report it has been successful in gaining some community grants from both Olveston Parish Council and Alveston Parish Council.

Together these grants bring £850 funding to the school and will be used to purchase essential equipment for the design and technology department, art and music departments.

The Olveston Parish Twinning Association has also made a generous donation to the language department, which will have a big impact upon the teaching and learning of languages at the school.

For more information about FOMS visit our Facebook page or email marlwoodfriends@gmail.com.

Melinda Evans