From the
PA
What a surreal year 2019-2020 has been for all including the Glendower Parents Association. Due to the pandemic our usual exciting timetable of activities was thrown into the air and we had to postpone all our scheduled events. Our committee members had spent many hours preparing and organising, but these hours have not gone to waste because as soon as we are able, we will hopefully be able to come together and continue the wonderful and charitable work that our Association does so well.
The Christmas bazaar team had an extra hard task given that the school was in the midst of major renovation work, and it was only the night before the bazaar that the old office entrance was finally finished which allowed for the route into the school. Elf security ensured that everyone attending was able to move around safely. A pick and mix candy stall and PA merchandise were new additions in the marquee whereas the ever-popular tombola delighted the girls in the Whitehouse. The bazaar raised in excess of £10,000 for charitable causes.
As I reflect upon the year and what we achieved, I wish to thank our wonderful parent community for their generous support. The pandemic has been difficult to navigate but I know that this will make us resilient and we will continue with the fulfilling work of the Glendower Parents Association in whatever form we can.
Our second-hand uniform sales are hugely popular, and this year was no exception. Last year we made the decision to sell both winter and summer uniforms together with PA merchandise at all future sales in order for parents to get everything that they needed. We also introduced an afterschool sale which has been very successful. The PA is always sourcing fun and practical merchandise, this year we launched a very cute and cuddly Glendower bunny together with a new water bottle, both have been very popular and continue to be available at our sales.
We held our annual book fair in aid of the school library in November. Parent volunteers came into Glendower to assist the girls make their selections from a wide range of exciting and new titles. The girls also purchased books from the donations table that were donated to the school library, as a consequence the library received a wonderful selection of new books that the girls can continue to read over the coming years.
A few year groups were able to host a bake sale before the pandemic put an end to this activity. Lots of different sweet treats and savoury items were on sale. Through the combined efforts of the girls and their parents we were able to raise over £1500.
November also saw the annual Christmas bazaar, themed ‘Winter Wonderland’. For the first time tickets were sold online on our new Glendower PA website which proved to be hugely successful. Year on year I am surprised by how magically the school is transformed. Following on from last year success the girls were invited to make personalised decorations that were hung around the school.
Years 3 and 4 now hold a second-hand book sale in lieu of a bake sale. This took place in February in the playground. Girls were able to donate their old books and purchase books from those on sale. The sale raised over £400 and the surplus which was in excess of 300 books was donated to a local School in Earl’s Court.
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