PARENTS' NEWS

PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION

At the Parents' Association annual general meeting on 1 March, 1983, Bruce Jenkin was elected President for a second term and Jim Larsen and Jacqui Taylor were also elected for second terms as Vice-President and Secretary respectively. The incoming Treasurer was Ewan Hubbard

Others elected to serve on the committee were: Eileen Allan (as Junior Vice-President for a further term), Robin Bremner, Kate Harcourt, Edith Olliver, Maureen Scott, Pat Simes, Falefita Smith, Thelma Soblecki, Lorna Stevenson, Judy Turner, and Mary Egley (representing the college mothers club). The remaining members were: Dave Anderson, Graham Booth, Max Bowyer, Gerry Bridge, Norman Brown, Trent Harker, Kuku Karatiaua, Alec Matheson, Bruce Parsons, Allan Ross, Brian Seed, David Swallow, David Tuckett, and David Yeoman.

Once again the committee's activities were concerned with fund-raising to provide facilities not available through state funding. This year the biennial fair was held on Saturday, 25 March, and an excellent attendance was recorded. Right from the opening minutes there was a steady flow of cars and people arriving at the school. Adequate off-street parking was available and this no doubt encouraged family groups to take part in the various activities. Fortunately, we were aided by a fine day. By the end of the day thanks to the generous support of all who attended, the school benefited by a nett amount of $11,200. An outstanding success. However, having said that, one must not lose sight of the fact that a considerable amount of preparation effort by a hard-working fair committee was necessary to help bring about this excellent result.

The annual "Careers Evening" was organised by the association with assistance from school staff and on the evening of Wednesday, 27 July, a large number of parents and pupils heard speakers from a wide range of professions and trades outline the advantages of their particular following. It was obvious from remarks heard after the meeting that both parents and boys had benefited from the occasion and we can only hope that it helped some boys to either make up their minds which direction to follow upon leaving school or confirm existing career thoughts for others.

During June parents and friends attended and enjoyed a performance of "Cabaret" at Downstage. Our thanks again go to a small committee who, through their untiring efforts, brought to fruition this very different and worthwhile evening's entertainment.

Whilst on the subject of entertainment, during July the college Mothers' Club arranged an excellent film evening at the Shell Oil Co Theatrette and an excellent evening was spent watching the film "House Calls" which appeared on our T.V. screens recently and was just as enjoyable the second time around. The sum of $350 was raised at this function. During the year the Mothers' Club provided numerous cups of tea, coffee and biscuits when an occasion called for refreshments and this was always done in their usual inimitable style. Thank you ladies

Throughout the year the association followed with great interest the progress of the Sports/Arts Complex. Fund-raising continued unabated and thanks to the Headmaster and a professional fund-raiser a large proportion of the $1.7 million needed to meet the cost of the complex has been donated. Commercial interests in the city and old boys from home and abroad gave substantial support. The "topping-off" ceremony was held early in December and it is confidently anticipated that the gymnasium portion of the complex will be ready for use by mid-1984. During building operations we have been fortunate to have the professional advice and oversight of one of the association's members, David Yeoman, and this link between contractors and the school has been invaluable.

In 1984 fund-raising by the Parents' Association will continue unabated as monies are still required to provide certain facilities for the new gymnasium and Computer Reserve Fund. Preliminary planning for further fund-raising has begun and we urge all parents and friends to support the school as much as possible when the time comes

Over the years Wellington College has been very fortunate in the manner in which parents, pupils and old boys of the school have so generously supported our efforts to provide equipment and facilities which are not normally covered through departmental channels and we confidently look forward to this necessary support continuing.

Norman Brown Wellington College Parents' Association

College Mothers

President: Leslie Strahan; Vice President: Mary Egley; Secretary: Frances Williamson; Treasurer: Barbara Brown.

Members: Judy Ansell, Bernadette Bishop, Sue Brown, Shirley Bush, Heather Crawford, Denny Davidson, Margaret Dukes, Alison Ellis, Marjorie Field, Claire Gray, Helen Griffiths, Islay Hall, Mary Heald, Elizabeth Hinkley, Kay James, Elva Kelly, Pam Lubransky, Valerie Martin, Hazel Meek, Lindy Pillar, Julie Stallworthy, Marguerite Wharton, Iris Winchester, Avril Wootton.

Aims: To assist the Parents Association in expanding its activities by;

(a) Promoting a close relationship with staff, pupils and parents.

(b) Providing opportunities for mothers to meet and work for the welfare of the College.

It has been a successful, very busy year, with all the committee members working hard and giving up a lot of their time to the various college activities.

Our annual general meeting was held on 23 February, 1983, and addressed by the Headmaster, Mr H. G. Rees-Thomas, who spoke on school rolls, the courses available, the Sports/Arts Complex and sporting events.

We have continued to have bi-monthly meetings. Mothers Club members ran the tea facilities for the Fair on 26 March and generally supported the Parents Association in this major fund-raising venture.

In April, Mr Bradley explained how School Certificates, U.E., Sixth Form Certificate, Bursary and Scholarship examinations were obtained and dispelled many of the myths concerning these examinations.

It was a great thrill for us to have the official opening of the restored Tolan Memorial Clock, situated above the Firth House Dining Hall, on June 1st. Our guest of honour was Mrs Tolan, whose son David died while at Wellington College, and in whose memory the clock was donated by the Tolan family. Mr Rees-Thomas and Mr R. Heron, a member of the board, were also present at this ceremony. The College Mothers were pleased to be able to fund the restoration of this piece of Wellington College history.

After our August meeting we adjourned to the Little Theatre for a presentation of "Johnny Soldier" by Mr Markham's junior drama group. This play had reached the finals of a national drama competition sponsored by the Shell Company for all theatre groups. We are indebted to Mr Markham and the boys for giving us the opportunity to view their production.

In October, Mr Gardiner, retiring Deputy Principal, reminisced amusingly on his years of teaching in NeW Zealand. We wish him well in the future. We culminated the year's work at our annual Christmas luncheon in November—an enjoyable occasion for all.

Sports/Art Complex: Many of our committee have been actively engaged in the raising of funds for this project and were invited to the turf-turning ceremony performed by the Prime Minister, Mr Muldoon. We have also provided refreshments for the workers on numerous occasions.

Fund Raising: We held a film evening in July by courtesy of the Shell Oil Company in their Theatrette.

They presented us with lucky seat prizes and contributed greatly to a successful and enjoyable evening.

Our thanks to them. Glenda Jackson and Walter Matthau kept us all laughing in "House Calls". We made a profit of $459 from this venture and have now fully paid for the Tolan Clock restoration.

It has been decided that the College Mothers will undertake to "Refurbish Firth House Dining Hall" as funds become available in the future. With the cooperation of the Parents Association we have replaced curtains in the hall and fund-raising activities next year will be put towards this.

Clothing Exchange: Our used clothing sales on 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month continue to be a solid source of income, $850 having been given to the general funds this year. The clothing room is run superbly by Mrs K. James, with Mrs L. Pillar attending to the books. Coat hangers have been purchased to facilitate easier handling and better display of clothing.

Catering: Our catering sub-committee, ably headed by Mrs M. Field and assisted by all committee members, has been very much in evidence this year. Visits to the school by Mr Muldoon and the Duke and Duchess of Wellington culminated in morning teas in Firth Dining Hall. Co-operation from Mr Stubbins from the school canteen on these occasions was greatly appreciated.

Numerous welcome cups of tea have been served at parent-teacher evenings and many other school functions.

We purchased black and white gingham early in the year, which Mrs L. Pillar kindly made up into tablecloths for gracing our tables on all occasions. The school donated us new cups and saucers, for which we are grateful.

Sports Afternoons: A very busy sports programme, including the Quadrangular Tournament in August, has involved our members with parents of the boys in the sports teams. The boys' appreciation for the meals provided shows what a worthwhile contribution this has been. My special thanks to Mrs D. Davidson, convenor for these events.

In April we held a combined meeting with the Parents' Association, which has enabled us to have a better working relationship and understanding. Mrs M. Egley has represented the Mothers Club at Parents' Association meetings while Mrs E. Allan has attended our meetings.

Our grateful thanks to Mrs N. Fage and the college office staff who have willingly assisted us throughout the year.

I should like to thank my committee for their constant support and willing help throughout a very busy year particularly Mrs F. Williamson, Secretary; Mrs B. Brown, Treasurer, and Mrs M. Egley, Vice President.

We extend a warm welcome to all mothers of Wellington College boys in 1984 to attend our meetings.

Leslie M. Strahan President