186 Parents’ Society Report Introduction The Parents’ Society has successfully weathered a major transition phase this year and we finished the year in a healthy financial position. A tough decision was made to absorb the 250 Club, into the Parents’ Society. This meant quite a significant financial adjustment through the reduction of the contribution that is made to the Society by the parents. Financial Portfolio Under the astute guidance of Michele Shiller and ably assisted by Chris Smith, we have come out at the end of this year in a healthy financial position. Considering that in 2018, following the absorbing of the 250 Club, we were unsure as to the impact by the end of 2019. This year particularly has seen us make massive financial contributions to projects: • the hockey grandstand, • R40 000 to the boarding houses (R8 000 to each boarding house per year). • a major contribution to both the Grade 11 and Grade 12 dances and • most importantly (and our major priority) the donation of R100 000 for bursaries to five recipients, who would otherwise not be able to attend this institution. Well done to Michele and Chris for steering this ship in the right direction. The next year will bring its own challenges, but as a body we have collectively decided that there will be a once-off donation from the parents of R760 (including VAT) towards the Parents’ Society. Remembering that this is a voluntary donation. As an incentive to parents, it will allow them access, at a reduced cost, to the two Parents’ Society Balls, which are held on the night after the Grade 11 and the Matric dances. It will also allow parents on a “first come, first serve” basis, access to the prestigious Centenary Ball, being planned for 2021. Communication Under the guidance of Diana Jacobs, this is our channel of communication between the parents and the school. You will notice that we send out a monthly bulletin as to the activities of the Parents’ Society. The Barrow With the enthusiasm of Adele Mills and Chris Smith, The Barrow has gone from strength to strength! We had a record year in sales. Our biggest source of income comes from the Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival. Parents both within the Parents’ Society and outside, freely volunteer to man the stand. Thank you for your input. This year we were able to make R100 000 towards bursaries, which we need to absorb into the Parents’ Society. Well done to Adele and Chris for managing The Barrow! Grade 11 and Grade 12 Dances Due to a sizable donation made by the Parents’ Society to both of the above-mentioned dances, this facilitates a reduction in ticket costs for the boys. As the dances are held on campus, this reduces the cost dramatically for the boys. On behalf of the Parents’ Society, we would like to thank all the parents who gave freely of their time to clean up on the Saturday and Sunday morning, as well as the morning following the dances. Parents’ Society Balls These, as you know, traditionally take place after the Grade 11 and Grade 12 dances. Under the leadership of Vuyo Motsoahae, Adele Mills, Thrisha Soni and Jane Gillespie, we held two outstanding Parents’ Society Balls this year. Both were well attended by parents. We thank the parents for their patronage and support of the Balls. Well done to the ladies who organised the evens for an outstanding job done! All of the energy of the Parents’ Society at this stage is towards the Centenary Ball in 2021. Budgets are also being put in place for this and we are looking at what our shortfalls could be, if we are to accommodate 700 people at the Centenary Ball. Hockey Grandstands Thanks to the huge enthusiasm of Carol Kelly, who drove this project while she was on the Parents’ Society. After much red tape trying to co-ordinate meetings with the various parties, this project finally came to fruition. The Hockey Grandstand is most probably able to seat 250 people and has been a welcome addition to the Mason Astro. Finally, this project would not have been completed without the help of the school, who added a sizable chunk of money so that we could complete this. General A Parents’ Society meeting is held every second Tuesday of the month in the Greyhound Pavilion, starting at 18h00. Whilst it is for sitting members of the Parents’ Society, any parent is allowed to join the meeting and we will welcome you. A reminder that the Parents’ Society is a channel which parents can use, should the other channels of communication that are open to you have been exhausted. Fortunately, we have had to deal with very few of these issues this year and we congratulate the management of the school in the manner in which the school is run. This year also sees the end of the tenure of the Chairman of the Parents’ Society, Dr D M. Beere, Vuyo Motsoahae and Rose Borkum. Fortunately the core of the Parents’ Society remains and under the able guidance of Michele Shiller, who will become the first Chairlady of the Kearsney College Parents’ Society. We wish her all the best in her guidance over the next two or three years. Over the years the Parents’ Society has contributed ably towards some essential projects around the school. In my tenure on the Parents’ Society, the Society has contributed R100 000 towards the medical facilities under the Stott grandstand. This has been a welcome addition and a huge improvement to the pre-existing medical facilities. A golf cart to carry injured players has been added, a number of other essential pieces of equipment, as well as a complete and total refurbishment of the medical facility. The hosting of the Centenary Ball was a project that was undertaken by the Parents’ Society. Dr D M Be e re (Chairman, Kearsney College Parents’ Society) Kearsney College Parents’ Society
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