This year has been one of ups and downs for the Committee as we have said goodbye to some of our stalwart members, hello to some new members, and welcome back to some old friends. The sum of all these comings and goings had left us with a strong and enthusiastic Committee by the AGM in November.

It is not usual to mention individuals by name in these paragraphs, but it would be remiss of me not to publicly thank Caroline Spicer who has retired from the Committee as her youngest last boy leaves the school. Caroline has been one of the most active and energetic supporters of the PA, and of the school, over many years. During which time well over £100,000 has been raised for the boys at RGS. We wish Caroline well, though what she is going to do with her spare time defeats me!

It is with very great sadness that I report that Raymond Brock, a great supporter of the Committee and organiser of the 500 Club, fell ill with cancer and passed away at the end of the year. He will be sorely missed by us all.

The number of parents from the new Year 7 intake in September 2007 electing to pay their subscription to the Parents Association is slightly down on last year. This reflects a trend of recent years. The annual intake is of vital importance if the strength of the Parents Association is to be maintained. The Committee has resolved to make greater efforts to advertise the Parents Association to the new Year 7 parents in the spring.

This year the PA hosted three discos, two quizzes and a magnificent Autumn Ball which were very successful both in terms of enjoyment and profit. In the financial year from August 2006 to July 2007, subscriptions, donations and events raised just under £18,000, a fantastic achievement. This was supplemented in September by the brilliantly successful Auction of Pledge. Thanks to the generosity of the RGS parents over £9,000 was raised by this one event and this has made a great start to the new school year. Another highlight for the Autumn term in terms of fun and glamour was the Bollywood ball. If you weren't there you missed a spectacular occasion.

Donations from the PA to the school totalled £21,650. The bulk, as in previous years, went towards the lease of two minibuses and to help pay for the loan for the glazing of The Space. The other major project for the PA this year was the replacement of the stage curtains in the Queen's Hall. A full list of expenditure is in the Treasurer's Report.

I have enjoyed myself immensely this year, and wish to publicly thank all the members of the committee for their hard work, support and enthusiasm which has resulted in so much being done for the school. Paul Roff is now taking over as Chairman, and I wish him every success.

Keith Marshall

RGSPA Chairman
November, 2007

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