Record breaking fundraiser

Over 100 parents, governors and staff took part in the Gillotts Parents’ Association annual quiz last month and raised over £4000 for the school!

In a fun, but highly competitive night, 13 teams of parents took on the SMART Targets, a team of Gillotts staff and school governors who were winners in 2017!

For many years now, former parents, Steven and Jane Galvin have returned to host the evening with a fantastic quiz. Rounds included the traditional and challenging science, literature and music, but also picture rounds, logos, guess the address and a practical catapult making challenge! The couple continue to be big supporters of the school and the Parents’ Association is hugely grateful for their continued involvement.

The quiz was closely fought with the title finally returning to a team of parents called ‘Agatha Quiz-Tie’ who took victory in the last round. The team were presented with their ‘cups’ and winners cupcakes, especially made and decorated for the occasion by Nicola Taylor, of Lawlors The Bakers. Headteacher, Catharine Darnton said, “Huge thanks to all the parents for their incredible generosity throughout the night.  This is a great evening and really does help the school to fund things to benefit the students that, in these times of austerity, we simply could not afford.”

The quiz once again raised much needed funds for the school with many generous local businesses, organisations and individuals donating prizes and ‘experiences’ for the Lucky Dip and Auction.

For the first time this year, the PA conducted an online auction in the week preceding the Quiz to enable everyone in the school community to participate. Denise Williams from the Parents’ Association thanked the local community and commented that the fantastic prizes on offer really encouraged participation from the whole school community and contributed a massively to the brilliant final total of funds raised. The Parents’ Association would like to extend their thanks to those who took part and the following wonderful donors:

Badgemore Park Golf Club, The Baskerville, Bell Book Shop, The Best Turkish Barbour Shop, AW Cycles, Boden, Brook House, Brookstones Property Solutions, Chiltern Valley Winery & Brewery, Cook, The Crooked Billet, Drifters Coffee Shop, Fenella Smith, Gibbs & Dandy, Henley Leisure Centre, Gorvett & Stone, Henley Autocars, Henley Golf Club, Henley Rowing Club, Hobbs of Henley, Hot Gossip Coffeehouse, Jewsons, Lawlors the Bakers, Colin Main @Henley Tennis Club, Gabriel Machin, Henley Festival, Henley Nails & Brows, John Howell MP, The Red Lion, Reids Dry Cleaning, Space NK, The Spice Merchant, Starbucks, Temptations Gifts, Waves carwash, Tesco, The Tree Barn, Rebellion Brewery, Wayne Bennett Personal Trainer and HannaH Management

Over the past few years the funds raised from the quiz have been used to provide an outdoor shelter for students, transport for sports events, Raspberry Pi computers, gym mats, musical equipment, an outdoor table tennis table, benches and picnic tables around the site.

The Gillotts Parents’ Association is a charity run by parents of Gillotts students whose aim is to raise funds and create a supportive community around the school. If you would be interested in supporting the PA in any capacity please contact gillottspa@gmail.com.