We’ve had some great fun fund-raising lately.

The 3rd annual Chadlington Great Brook run took place on the traditional date of 27th December superbly organised by Adam Engberg and James Kelly (thank you guys). The run had a record turn out of around 105 runners including David Cameron who came in a very respectable 25th (yes, yes, beaten by three girls and a semi-naked man). As usual (if you can use the word ‘usual’ in a description of this event) runners started the race just outside the Tite Inn when Mrs. Hornibrook, the school headmistress, fired the starting gun. Runners ran across the fields to Brook End and then jumped into the brook to run back to the Tite. You can find more details of this fantastic event here.

The day after the Brook run we had the Christmas quiz which was a great success – despite Wid selling raffle tickets on the basis of the first prize being a ’stuffed eel’ (which sounded pretty exciting) when it turned out to be a  ’stuffed Eeyore’. Never mind. Thanks to the Parkers and the McGees for all the effort they put into the quiz organisation this year as always.

If you feel you can support the Friends in any way – you don’t have to be a parent – please get in touch with one of the committee or email secretary@focs.org.uk. The Friends add tremendous value to the childrens’ education in Chadlington. Over the last 5 years, the Friends have donated almost £60,000 to the school.

Last year we have donated £3,000 for classroom resources for the youngest children, with all sorts of new puzzles, games, software and educational toys, so they are really well equipped to start learning. We have also continued to subsidise school trips, making them more affordable for everyone, trips in 2008 included visits to Legoland, Compton Verney for a textile workshop, the pantomime in Oxford, the Dickens Museum and the Black Country museum. We also funded a visiting coach to run ball skills workshops which the children really enjoyed and paid for the older children to each have a piece of fruit or vegetable at break time (the government currently funds this for the younger children and we wanted all the children to have this opportunity). We’ve also paid for some new music stands and for the sports day medals.