FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Speech Day and Open Day
Saturday 7th July 2012
After the formal ceremonies are over on Speech Day, the PTA will be on hand to provide lunch and refreshments as you enjoy the Open Day offerings that are on display around the school. Why not let us make life easier for you and cater for all your refreshments on this occasion? A choice of pork roast or BBQ will be offered along with a glass of Pimm’s or a cold beer. Then there’s strawberries & cream and ice cream to follow. It is greatly appreciated if you could pre-order your food in advance, by using the booking form as we cannot guarantee we can meet all additional orders made on the day.
PREVIOUS EVENTS
Quiz Night
Friday 27th April 2012
Friday 27th April saw a hall packed with avid quizzers battling it out to be champions and the recipients of the prestigious golden goose. There were twenty tables of parents, teachers and U6 girls and there was a real buzz in the air as they faced each of the 8 rounds of questions. Half way through the evening, everyone enjoyed a superb fish and chip supper and was suitably refreshed to continue on with the challenge. At the end of the evening the scores were in and it was very tight at the top of the table but the ‘Cats Pyjamas’ were victorious. Congratulations to them and to all who took part in a thoroughly entertaining evening.
Christmas Party
Saturday 3rd December 2011
Thankfully the snow did not come early this year and so the PTA were able to host their Christmas Glitter Party. The dining hall was transformed with the use of a marquee lining into a fabulous party space with twinkly lights adorning the tables to create a festive mood. After welcome drinks, parents were able to enjoy a fabulous 3 course dinner and then dance the night away to a very popular DJ. it was a fantastic evening, with a great party atmosphere and just what was needed to get everyone into the Christmas spirit.
Fourth Form Supper
Each year the PTA host a supper party for the Fourth Form year groups, both Lower and Upper, and this year it was themed as a Bonfire supper as it was held on 3rd November. Over 100 parents were welcomed into an autumnal themed dining hall with a cup of mulled pear cider to get everyone in the mood. Parents were then able to mingle and meet old and new friends and enjoy a wonderful supper, provided by the school caterers. The evening was rounded off with a sparkler each as the parents made their way home after a very enjoyable evening.
125th Anniversary Gift from the PTA
To mark the 125th Anniversary of the school the PTA made a donation of a beautiful teak bench which will sit upon the grass outside the Anniversary Halls. The inscription reads: "Presented by the Parent/Teacher Association in 2011 in celebration of the 125th Anniversary of St. Catherine's School".
If you get the chance, do take a moment to sit upon it and admire the view!
Speech Day
Following on from a very special 125th Anniversary Speech Day, which was held in the new Sports Hall, the PTA were on hand to serve refreshments as everyone emerged. There was a choice of BBQ food and drinks served from a range of gazebos, providing a St Cats style food hall! The atmosphere was buzzing as everyone enjoyed the refreshments and some longed for sunshine, after days of rain. The party atmosphere was further enhanced by the Concert Band who gave a most professional performance and really added to the mood of the occasion. A great day was had by all!
Quasquincentennial Celebration Ball
To celebrate 125 years of St Catherine's School, 450 parents enjoyed an evening of fine wine, food and music in a marquee situated in the school grounds. There was no fundraising on this occasion, just out and out celebration and all those who were present enjoyed a fabulous evening well into the early hours. The evening began with champagne on the lawns, whilst the school Jazz Band entertained all with a very professional performance. Following a delicious dinner, all were then able to dance the night away to either the band or the DJ, singing along to some very familiar tunes. A truly fantastic evening and a great way to celebrate in true St Cats style.
Quiz Night
Friday 13th May saw a hall packed with avid quizzers battling it out to be champions and the recipients of the prestigious golden goose. There were twenty-five tables of parents, teachers and U6 girls and there was a real buzz in the air as they faced each of the 8 rounds of questions. Half way through the evening, everyone enjoyed a superb fish and chip supper and was suitably refreshed to continue on with the challenge. At the end of the evening the scores were in and it was tight at the top of the table but the ‘Quantum of Porridge’ were victorious. Congratulations to them and to all who took part in a thoroughly entertaining evening.
Annual Lecture
Each year the PTA hosts a speaker that we hope will appeal to parents of girls of all ages. This year we joined with the Prep School PTA to offer a series of lectures aimed at helping us, as parents, to understand more about our teenagers. The Senior School PTA was the first lecture and was given by UCL Professor Sarah-Jayne Blakemore on the Adolescent Brain. She was absolutely fascinating and it was a delight to listen to her in the new Auditorium. The Q and A session that followed was equally stimulating and conversations on the topic continued over drinks at the bar well into the evening.
Last year we were delighted that Gervase Phinn, the famous Yorkshire raconteur was able to join us for a hugely successful evening. He kept a packed Speech Hall entertained with tales of his time as a teacher and school inspector for over an hour. He then signed books and chatted with parents and staff offering further anecdotes.
Upper 3 Supper Party
Each year the PTA host a supper party for U3 parents to offer them a chance to get to know other parents within their daughter’s year group. This year, the event took place in March with an informal curry supper attended by nearly 100 parents. All arrived to see the hall laid out with balloons representing the house colours and after welcome drinks, all were invited to seat within their houses for a delicious meal. It was a very relaxed evening, with a lively atmosphere and thoroughly enjoyed by all those present.
