Report of the year 2005/06

The High March Social Group exists to arrange social events for parents of High March children to meet informally and get to know each other, social events for the children and also seeks to raise funds for the school and for the school’s charities. It is made up of volunteers from amongst parents and is supported by the activities of the Form Mums throughout the school. 2005/06 was another busy and successful year for the Social Group and we are pleased to describe some of the highlights of the events and activities here.

In line with tradition the new year started with a New Mums Coffee Morning in the first weeks of September and we are always pleased to get to know new Mums as their daughters start at High March in classes from Nursery through to the Upper School. We hope that this is an informal way for new parents to meet and to share new experiences and perhaps seek enlightenment on some of the school activities and traditions (“what IS a spotty?....why would you want one? and – when you have worked out all this - where do you hang it?)

The Autumn term also traditionally includes a Junior House party for High March children and last year was no exception- excitement levels were high and witches, wizards and other Hallowe’en creatures were the order of the day. Our thanks to Mrs Clifford who had the unenviable task of picking prize winners from amongst the dazzling array of costumes.

As Christmas approaches we arrange a Parents Lunch at the Fitzwilliams centre in Old Beaconsfield. There was no holding back the onset of Christmas much longer at the end of November and we hoped that this was an enjoyable way to start the season with a lunch, glass of wine, good company and fantastic raffle prizes. All in a good cause as ever- in support of school activities and the NSPCC.

A noisy and enthusiastic group from High March went to the Wycombe Swan pantomime at the end of term (oh no they didn’t). Always a popular event, Dick Whittington starring Basil Brush in 2005 – the group booking allows High March families to enjoy this high quality production for a much reduced cost.

The highlight of the Spring term is the annual Quiz night – won this year by the aRTichokes (it took us a while to get it too – a team whose daughters were in the then RT). The Borns brothers from Davenies were again quiz masters and set us a breathtaking range of questions including music, literature, geography, sport, politics and much much more. The fish and chip supper provided a necessary pit stop between quick fire rounds of questions and this sell out event raised over £1,000. We are very grateful to the Borns brothers for their expertise and enthusiasm. Thanks are also due to Mrs Clifford, Mrs Donlan and Mr and Mrs Forsyth for taking the enormously demanding – and potentially perilous as tensions rise - roles of scorers.

There was great sadness in January 2006 at High March at the loss, after a bravely fought battle against cancer, of Jo Pycroft, High March mother, former Social Group member and long term enthusiastic and energetic supporter of High March. We donated the proceeds from the Quiz Night to cancer charities in her memory.

The end of the Spring term is generally marked by an Easter party at Junior House. Easter bonnets were everywhere (pictures) and Mrs Avery needed all her considerable skill, judgement and diplomacy to choose some winners from the wonderfully creative entries. Luckily chocolate tastes the same in the rain – and a badly timed downpour did not (could not) prevent an Easter egg hunt in the playground to end the event.

For older children we embark on the great disco experience at the end of the Autumn term and in the summer. Years 3 and 4 take the opportunity to dress up to the nines (less is not more here) dance the evening away, refreshed by drinks, crisps and hot dogs. For Years 5 and 6 this event is joint with Davenies School boys – adding a new dimension for those accustomed to girls’ school events. The Social Group records its grateful thanks to Mrs Clifford and to Mr Nott (former Headmaster of Davenies) for their attendance, sterling efforts in crowd control and general good cheer as the music pounded on and noise levels rose. We look forward to introducing Mr Watson, Davenies’ new Headmaster to the experience this year.

The Social Group raised £3,850.41p during the year and this contributed to drama group visits for both the Upper and Lower Schools together with a contribution to the bike and scooter racks and covered walkway. Further contributions will be made towards new equipment and activities in the next half term.

Traditionally Social Group members serve 2 years on the Group before handing over the reins (reluctantly) to the next group. We thank those members standing down after their two years and look forward to the forthcoming year and to continuing the activities into the future.

Finally we would like to thank all those who have contributed to Social Group events and activities in 2005/06. From buying wrapping paper in support of High March to helping the children make Easter bonnets to joining us for lunch (some possibly easier than others…) we are enormously grateful for all your input and support. Please do come and join us again and if you would like to be a member of the Social Group in the future we would always like to hear from you!

Social Group members 2005/06
Caroline Barton, Chair, Amanda Hatter, Secretary, Paula Barlow, Treasurer, Tracey Greenough, Maria Ingham-Halshaw, Julia Woodward, Jane Wylie, Harriet Baldwin.