My little boy has just started High School, which over here in Blighty means 11-16.
Most kids then go on to a sixth form college to study further qualifications to get them a job or a place at a University.
In Ashley’s case, because it’s a Special School, they actually stay on site until the year they turn 19. The last three years are spent aiming for usable life skills and a few academic qualifications.
So, last night was the first meeting this year of the Friends of EB, the PTA of his school.
Heather and I went along and showed eager.
I’ve Chaired a PTA before, which was very successful, and worked in Charity Offices for four years so know my way around a meeting.
The usual candidates were there. At one end there was a cluster of chatty teachers who bunched together bedecked with ID lanyards and battle-worn faces. At the far end were the Mums and Grandmas, equally chatty and armed with diaries and clicky pens.
There were minutes, always a good sign, though they weren’t written up,
Both parties were laying into the free cakes and biscuits and slurped coggee and tea out of large mugs.
The Chair was weak and I counted three separate conversations at one point.
The minutes were being taken by an older war-weary sort who was able to control the meeting and move it through the agenda (printed with ample copies, I was most impressed).
The Head Teacher was also there and she too took control at times.
Like all established charity committees they had a firm idea of what worked and told us what their event list was for the year.
When they cottoned on that I’d done this before they asked for suggestions and I said Race Night.
When we got over the stumbling point that this should involve children in any way, because there was a bar, they warmed to the idea.
Race Night’s are so funny. There’s a giant track on the floor with big inflatable die. The “horses” are volunteers who have to wear jockey silks or horse paraphenalia and the betting usually takes off once folk have been to the bar a few times. You roll the dice and the horses progress along the track to much hootin’ and hollerin’. If you have a good compere you can raise a lot of money.
I’m working for their first event but Gill’s taking the kids and I’ll go to the next meeting.
Sounds like fun.
