St. John's Association

The St John's Association is a registered charity. Membership is automatically granted to every parent (or guardian) and all members of staff of the school.

The objects of the Association are to develop extended relationships between the staff and parents of the school, to engage in activities which support the school and advance the education of its pupils and to provide facilities for education at the school that are not normally provided by the Governing Body.

Funds are raised with social events for parents, including a four-yearly spectacular summer ball, as well as family events such as the Christmas Bazaar, Bingo afternoon and the Summer Fun Day.

The Association also supports other charities, notably Macmillan Cancer Support and the designated school charity which changes every year. In 2009 – 2010 this charity is 'Build a School' in Malawi and St John's are aiming to raise enough money to build an entire school.

Every year is a busy one for the Association. The year always kicks off with the Fireworks evening which I think is the not-to-be missed event of the year. The school grounds lend themselves particularly well to what is always a spectacular display.

The end of the autumn term means the Christmas Bazaar which has evolved over the last few years into somewhere where hassled mums can get some decent shopping done while the children have the opportunity to buy secret presents, meet Father Christmas and play games including the now world-famous Human Fruit Machine.

This year, the Association supported a dinner dance which raised over £16,000 to support a children's home in Grenada which was visited by the school's touring cricket team and the Lord's Taverners.

Last year the summer term hosted a new event in aid of the school's charity Whizz-kidz. Mr James and Mrs Savage organised a 12 hour marathon sports day on the all-weather pitch and parents and siblings joined them after school finished. After 4 o'clock the pitch was covered with boys, sisters, brothers, mums, teachers and some very competitive dads. The evening was such a success that it is being repeated this year.

Fun Day is in July. It lasts for over 4 hours and is always really busy with amazing Chinese and Indian food as well as a huge selection of stalls, sideshows and games We have a spectacular balloon release and last year's winning balloon was found on a beach near Lowestoft.

Finally the last event of the Association's year is always the Macmillan Cancer Support Coffee Morning. There is always a great turn out of really generous parents who stay for ages drinking coffee and chatting.

Please put the date of the next Grand Summer Ball into your diaries – July 2 2011. We are very excited about it and hope to see all of you there.

As you have seen from all the above, the Association is very busy and is truly indebted to the committee, the teaching staff, the staff in the school office, the ground and maintenance staff and all the parents who willingly help, donate, turn up and clear up over and over again.

Naomi Vaughan (Chairman)