PARENTS' ASSOCIATIONS
Friends of King's Rochester (fundraising for the Senior and Preparatory Schools)
Contact: Chairman, Kate Cresswell - friendsofksr@yahoo.co.uk
The ethos of The Friends is to promote involvement in the social aspects of life at King’s for all family members. Naturally, willing hands are always needed for our events - we do appreciate that everyone has different time constraints and skills but if you would like to know more, or have any suggestions please email: friendsofksr@yahoo.co.uk
PPS (fundraising for the Pre-Preparatory School)
Contact: Chairman, Xanthe Davis, c/o King's Pre-Preparatory School
FRIENDS' NEWS
Friends Fireworks and Barbecue - November 2012
Thanks go to The Friends Committee and helpers for giving us such an enjoyable fireworks display and barbecue - it was, as usual, a spectacular event!
The weather was kind to us and it was lovely to see so many pupils from across the whole school, parents, and friends - and the new Mrs Walker experienced her first, very busy, school event as a member of the Friends.
Friends Annual Report – September 2011 – July 2012
During Michaelmas term 2011, we held our annual fantastic Fireworks Display on the Paddock. This was, as ever, extremely well-supported by families throughout the school. Our team of helpers worked tirelessly to feed and water the hungry hoards. The event raised £2,120. The full moon conspired against us and we had to delay the fireworks for a while, but it was definitely worth the wait!
The Christmas Fayre was held in School Hall with many extremely talented outside craftspeople selling their products. Santa was busy listening to requests, and he had some very glamorous elves this year. The event raised nearly £3,000.
For the Ladies Lunch in May, the sun shone allowing us to enjoy drinks in the garden of Oriel House prior to our speaker, Ken Tappenden MBE, President Toastmaster of Ceremonies who gave an extensive and insightful talk on life as a Toastmaster at prestigious events. Our dedicated catering committee excelled themselves with a wonderful buffet enjoyed by all. As ever all ladies attending looked extremely glamorous and helped us to raise £1695. We closed the event by presenting our gift from The Friends to Kerrie Walker. After much deliberation we felt an Aspinal Memory Box was an appropriate gift to our outgoing President, needless to say Kerrie was both surprised and thrilled.
Up to the Alps for Prep School Sports Day in June – our extremely capable and enthusiastic set of helpers served bacon rolls, Pimms and strawberries – not forgetting the Krispy Kreme doughnuts! We raised £ 777.
As ever, the highlight of our school year culminated with the Summer Ball, traditionally held to honour our leaving Upper 6th students. "Arabian Nights" was the theme this year and the marquee was adorned with individual photos of the Upper 6th. This was a wonderful evening and everyone enjoyed the great themed food, live music, and fireworks in an idyllic setting.
We make a conscious effort to ensure monies raised are spent throughout the school, from Prep to Senior to benefit the maximum number of pupils. In the last financial year we have contributed nearly £7,000 to the school towards computers, Prep School library seating and Duke of Edinburgh tents.
I would like to thank all our committee and helpers who have worked extremely hard over the past year - I am tremendously grateful to everyone involved with The Friends - families and members of staff. Thank you.
Kate Cresswell
Chairperson, Friends of King’s Rochester
October 2012
Friends of King’s visit the Boat House
On Saturday12th November, the Friends of King’s visited the School Boat House on the River Medway at Allington. The purpose of the visit was to see the new rescue boat recently purchased by the Friends and donated for the purposes of aiding the successful teaching of rowing and canoeing/kayaking (and rescuing those who unfortunately sometimes go for a little swim during that learning process!).
After the short journey to the Boat House in the newest of the fleet of minibuses (also kindly donated by the Friends) it was not long before Kate Cresswell (Chair of Friends) had her deck shoes on and was off for a ride on the rescue boat.
Tom Saunders, King’s new rowing coach*, and Steve Short, King's CCF and Duke of Edinburgh Trainer, took the Friends on a tour of the Boat House facilities and spoke about the many uses of the Boat House.
A fun time was had by the Friends including Kerrie Walker, Kate Cresswell, Louise Owen (who managed to get a ride up river back to her car), Ann Harrington, Jenny Skulczuk and Sue Lindley.
This was a great opportunity for King’s staff to show their appreciation to the Friends of King’s for their kind and significant contributions to the School for which we all continue to be most grateful.
* Tom Saunders was appointed as the King's Rowing Coach in September 2011. He was a boarder at a rowing school (Shiplake College) and represented the school during his time there. After a gap year coaching rowing at school in Australia, Tom went on to Brunel University where he also rowed for his university whilst reading Sports Science. Since then, in addition to running his own painting and decorating busimess and working as a qualified youth worker, he has coached at local clubs and schools.
Friends Summer Ball - Leavers Photos
King's Upper Sixth Leavers - Summer Ball 2010