July 2020
RPC Update
This year, despite sadly not being able to hold our Ball or Summer Fair, we’re thrilled to announce that we have still managed to raise over £19,500, which includes over £5,500 from our wonderful SHUS team. The money raised will be split three ways between the school and our two charities, Eikon and PSDS.
Many thanks to everyone who has supported our fundraising events, and especially to our fabulous reps. We wish you all a wonderful summer!
March 2020
RPC Summer Ball
Despite our Summer Ball being postponed to Saturday 15th May 2021, we would like to remind you that this year’s Ball Raffle is still very much going ahead as planned. We have some great prizes available and would encourage you to return your ticket stubs and payments to Rokeby Reception as soon as possible. Many thanks for your support.
RPC Summer Fair Poster Competition
Please find attached here a poster regarding our Summer Fair Poster Competition.
The winning poster will appear on the front cover of this year’s Summer Fair brochure with all other entries displayed at RSG during our Summer Fair on 14th June. To take part please hand in your poster to Mrs Sanderson by Monday 27th April 2020. Each entry will receive a House Point!
RPC Summer Ball
We are delighted to announce that tickets are now on sale for our biennial Rokeby Summer Ball, kindly sponsored by The Wimbledon Orthodontic Practice, and which we are very fortunate to be holding at The Hurlingham Club on Friday 5th June. We would love you to join us for a glamorous evening of drinks, dinner, dancing and much more!
Tickets include a champagne reception, three course dinner with wine, and dancing until 2 am. There will also be a silent auction, with some amazing prizes which we can’t wait to share with you; and a raffle, tickets for which will be in your son’s bookbag this week.
Tickets for the Ball can be purchased either individually, in couples, or in tables of 8 or 10. To book a table, please nominate a table host to be responsible for coordinating the table and making a single booking. Individual ticket holders and couples will be seated in tables of 8 or 10 coordinated by the Ball Committee. Please click here to book:
All funds raised will be shared equally between Rokeby and our amazing charities, Eikon and PSDS (Click here for more details about these truly wonderful causes). If you can’t attend but would like to donate, please click here:
The Ball is always a fantastic evening and we very much hope that you will join us!
February 2020
Visit to PSDS – 7th February 2020
Michele and I visited a “Digbies” session on Friday 7th February, organised by PSDS (the new charity chosen by the School Council to benefit from RPC funds raised this academic year and next). These are weekly playgroup sessions for pre-school children with Down Syndrome. Children attend with one of their parents or sometimes grandparents, and enjoy music therapy, circle time and freeplay, as well as one to one sessions of occupational therapy and speech therapy throughout the day. We were very impressed by how organised the session was, and the calm and happy atmosphere which Helen and the other volunteers have managed to create. One of the mums who chatted with us commented that Digbies had been “a lifesaver” to her, and that she was so grateful to have been able to get to know other parents who were going through the same thing as her. The Digbies sessions are currently run from a village hall, which whilst it is a lovely light and airy space, is very impersonal and is used by other groups for different purposes (which means that PSDS cannot e.g. put visual aids up on the walls, or decorate it in a child-orientated way). PSDS has plans to try to lease its own building in future so that it can have a permanent space for Digbies and other sessions. (PSDS also provides specialist support to school age children and organises youth clubs and other activities for teenagers with Down Syndrome.) – Liza Long
January 2020
RPC Quiz Night
Huge thanks to those of you who came along to our Big Quiz Night last Friday. A lot of fun was had by all, and we managed to raise a wonderful £5,400 for the School and its charities. Thank you so much for your continued support.
RPC Quiz Night
We are thrilled that so many of you have booked tables for the forthcoming Quiz Night on 24th January. The event is now sold out! We very much look forward to seeing you there and having lots of fun.
RPC News
We hope you all had a wonderful break over Christmas and are looking forward to what we have in store for you in 2020. We are currently looking for volunteers to join our Summer Fair Committee and help us to organise one of the boys’ favourite events of the School year. The Summer Fair is on 14th June this year and is always a great way to celebrate before the long summer break.
Joining this committee is very fun and easy way to get more involved with the social side of the School, make new friends among the parents and give something back. We are always struck by how generously you give your time and support at RPC events, and we firmly believe that it is this willingness to get stuck in which helps to make Rokeby such a very special place.
If you are interested or would like more information, please do get in touch at rokebyrpc@gmail.com. Thank you!
November 2019
❓ The RPC’s Big Quiz Night ❓
We would like to invite you to our annual Quiz Night charity fundraiser, very kindly sponsored by Omba Advisory & Investments and The World Gold Council. It will be held in the main hall at Rokeby on Friday 24th January 2020 at 7.30pm. It is always a fun night and a great way to kick off the New Year, so please do come along! For more information, and details of how to book tables, please click here.
Mufti Day Reminder
Please remember that our annual Christmas themed mufti day is on Thursday 12th December. Please send your son in with £2 if he’d like to take part. All proceeds go to the School and its charities.
RPC visit Eikon
On 13th November 2019, we visited our School Charity, Eikon, at their main premises near Byfleet. We met Chris Hickford, the founder of Eikon, as well as Becky Hughes, their new Head of Fundraising. We were introduced to two of the young people whom Eikon has helped over the past few years, David and Kez (both aged 16). David showed us round the Eikon Garden – a lovely spot, created by Eikon and their young people, out of a disused rubbish site. It featured, among other things, a quiet area for reflection, a wildlife zone with pond, a vegetable patch and an activity zone. It was full of symbolism and included a tree trunk into which a local artist has carved a large wooden cocoon, caterpillar and butterfly. These are intended to symbolise, so David told us, the personal growth which young people experience when Eikon helps them to realise their potential. Both David and Kez were wonderful ambassadors for Eikon. They spoke articulately and movingly about their own personal struggles and were effusive in their praise for Eikon. Kez said that the charity had “saved her life”. Both David and Kez are studying for A Levels next year. David would like to become a lawyer and Kez plans to go into social care.
Quiz Night
Please SAVE THE DATE for our annual Rokeby Parents’ Quiz Night on Friday 24th January 2020. It is always great fun, and a fantastic way to beat the January blues! More details attached here.
RPC Mufti Day
We are happy to announce that there will be a Christmas themed mufti day on Thursday 12th December. Please could your sons bring in £2 each.
Appeal for RPC members
Hopefully you all enjoyed our Fireworks event. We certainly had great fun organising it! If you are considering joining the RPC and would like a taste of what is involved, please do get in touch (rokebyrpc@gmail.com). We are currently looking for a few volunteers to join our Summer Fair Committee.
Fireworks
Huge thanks to you all for your amazing support for our Fireworks Display last Friday, and for helping us to raise significant funds for the School and our charities. We were thrilled to have so many people book tickets and to see all our children having such a good time together. Particular thanks to our generous sponsors, Coombe Residential, Kingston Orthodontics and Hoban Design. And heartfelt thanks, in particular, to all our wonderful reps, stall volunteers, and marshals, without whom the event simply couldn’t have happened. We firmly believe that Rokeby is a special place, and its parents like you, who come along, get stuck in and give their time, who help to make it so. We could not be more grateful to you all.
October 2019
Summer Ball – new date, Friday 5th June 2020
As you may be aware, it has recently been announced that there’s going to be an additional bank holiday next year to commemorate VE Day. As our ball date had already been booked prior to this announcement, we have made the decision to move the date to one which we hope will work better for most people.
This year’s ball is being held at the wonderful Hurlingham Club, which we are all really excited about. Fortunately they have another date available, so please put Friday 5th June, 2020 in your diaries and prepare for a really fabulous evening!
It’ll be a fantastic way for us all to round off another great year at Rokeby, and we really hope that for Year 8 parents especially, you will see this as a great opportunity to celebrate the end of Common Entrance and your boys’ time at Rokeby.
The Rokeby Parents Circle (RPC) is the social and fundraising arm of the school.
It is made up of a Chairman and Vice-Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary (the “Committee”), together with two representatives from each year group throughout the whole school. The Committee meets regularly to discuss and plan events throughout the year and the class reps then report back to their respective year groups.
There are a number of smaller committees formed to run each event throughout the year for example, the Fireworks Night, Quiz Night, biennial Summer Ball, and Summer Fair. If you would like more information about the RPC and how to get involved or join an event committee, please email us on rokebyrpc@gmail.com.
Fireworks – ticket booking now open!
Tickets are now on sale for the Rokeby Fireworks Display on Friday 8th November from 6.30pm to 8.00pm at Rokeby Sports Ground. Please come along and join in the fun! For more information click here and to book tickets, click here.
The RPC Award will be presented, on an ad hoc basis, to any boy (or group of boys) who have demonstrated an appreciation of the RPC’s values of charity, giving your time and/fostering community spirit. So, if your boys have recently taken part in anything charitable or community-minded, please let their form tutor know.
RPC Spending
We are thrilled to announce that we have recently agreed to a number of new purchases for the School, using funds raised through RPC events. For example:
- A new oven and hob for the Lower School, to use in their baking activities
- New books for the French Department
- Classroom games for Year 5
- A literacy intervention subscription for Learning Support
- Several exciting speaker visits – watch this space!
September 2019
Our fundraising
As you know, Rokeby has a long and proud tradition of supporting wonderful charities through various fundraising events organised by the RPC throughout the year (e.g. fireworks, quiz night, the summer ball and summer fair). Over the past year, the RPC has raised significant funds for the Prader Willi Trust and Eikon.
Traditionally we have had two School charities at any one time (each charity having a tenure of 2 years on a rotational basis, with one new charity being chosen each summer term by incoming reps). In addition, there have been charities chosen by each of the four Rokeby houses, as well as various ad hoc cake sales for different charities held throughout the year.
Following a review of this process and feedback from the parents, a decision has been taken to simplify the way in which the funds raised are divided between the School and other charitable causes. The intention is to make it easier for the boys to understand the School’s role in supporting its chosen charity, and to focus on initiatives which assist vulnerable and less fortunate people in the local area.
Therefore, going forward, the RPC and School will jointly select, from a short list of charities proposed by the boys and/or parents, one School charity every two years. Funds raised from RPC events will be divided equally between:
The School (for purchasing equipment, etc. e.g. RPC funds recently paid for new play tables for the Lower School)
- The chosen RPC Charity, which for 2019/2020 remains Eikon (an award-winning charity that has been working in local Surrey communities for over two decades to provide long-term support to some of the country’s most vulnerable young people); and
- A community fund which will be used to benefit local charitable causes nominated by parents and voted on by the School Council.
In addition, each school year the boys will vote on one charity to support across all four Rokeby Houses. Enterprising boys will also continue to be able to organise their own events for charities of their choice.
We hope that this will simplify the process for everyone and result in a better understanding of how the money raised by the RPC is used to support the School and our wider local community. Thank you for your continued support, and we hope to see as many of you as possible at our fund raising events this year.
Michele, Liza, Monika and Chiara – The RPC
July 2019
We wanted to say a final HUGE thank you for all your support over the last year – we hope you and your sons have enjoyed the fireworks, quiz, fun run, summer fair and the mufti days. With your help, we have raised over £26,000 for our two charities, PWSA and Eikon and the school – a fantastic achievement.
We presented them each with a cheque for £8,700 at the charity assembly last Tuesday as we recapped with the boys on the fun events held during the year that helped make this possible. We say goodbye to PWSA as their second year comes to an end – they have asked us to pass on their immense gratitude at the £40,000 raised during their two years with Rokeby. This money will help fund research to identify drugs that can help curb the insatiable hunger that Prader-Willi syndrome sufferers face every day. Eikon end their first year and are extremely grateful for the monies raised, which will enable a vital counselling service at a local Surrey School to continue as the school is no longer able to afford to provide it.
A full recap of the year will appear in the annual School magazine and can also be found here. A picture gallery of all the items we have bought for the boys during the year is available to view here.
A huge thank you to all the staff, reps and parents that have helped us during the year – without you, the events simply could not happen. We would like to welcome Michele, Monika, Liza and Chiara to take over the RPC from September and wish them all the best for the coming year.
We have really enjoyed our time on the RPC and wish you all a relaxing summer break.
Trelawny, Caroline, Penny and Nicky – RPC Committee
June 2019
RPC Summer Fair – a huge success
This year’s Summer Fair proved to be a huge success. We had a greater turnout than last year, the weather was kind to us and when combined with the takings from SHUS the week before we raised a staggering £9,000 to be shared between our two charities and the school.
Rokeby’s Got Talent proved a popular new addition to the event and Laser Tag had a constant queue outside it. The annual Year 8 Tug of War was fiercely contested and the ice-cream man did a roaring trade.
Thank you to all of those that came and supported the school and particularly those who set up, manned and helped clear up the stalls at the end of the day. We could not have done it without you.
Photos from the day are available to view here.
RPC Mufti Day – Tuesday 2nd July
Just to remind you that the RPC Mufti Day will take place on Tuesday 2nd July.
Fair Sponsors – The RPC would like to say a very big thank you to our main sponsors of this year’s Summer Fair. They are Coombe Residential and Wimbledon Orthodontic Practice. Their continued support is highly appreciated.
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Fair Donations – We will be receiving donations for stalls at drop off from Monday 10th June (or leave in porch in relevant boxes at other times). There will be named boxes for each category. Please do not leave bags of mixed donations.
We are looking for:-
- Soft cuddly toys – new or nearly new (please do not bring in dirty soft toys or anything you would not want to receive yourself!!)
- Used children’s books – please make sure that books are either new or in very good condition
- Bottles for the bottle tombola – this includes anything from wine, perfume, oil, bath products, cordial.
- New boxed toys for the toy tombola
Raffle Tickets – will be in your son’s book bags later this week – please check you have received an envelope containing the raffle books. Each ticket costs £1 or a book of 5 for £5. Please be aware that any raffle ticket stubs and money can be left in the RPC box in reception.
Please complete each ticket stub even if buying the book as tickets are entered individually. If you have more than one son at the school then either son’s name and year group are sufficient. If you are bringing friends or family, a name and email address will be fine. First prize is 12 bottles of Veuve Clicquot!
Rokeby’s Got Talent – Open Mic – This year we will be running “Rokeby’s Got Talent” open mic. If your son/daughter wants to sing, dance, play the spoons or do stand-up comedy – now is their chance! The stage will be open from 1-2.30 pm for solos or groups – anything goes!
If music is required please ensure it is available on an iPod / iPhone on the day. There will also be performances from Year 2 & 3 during the afternoon.
We look forward to seeing you all there!
May 2019
RPC Summer Fair – Sunday 23rd June – A Family Day Out
Please put the date in your diary. This is a wonderful event including a variety of both school run and external sellers stalls, food, drink and entertainment for everyone. Please bring friends and family.
Donations of items for the day – Please give generously!
We are looking for:-
- Soft cuddly toys – new or nearly new (please do not bring in dirty soft toys or anything you would not want to receive yourself!!)
- Used children’s books – please make sure that books are either new or in very good condition
- Bottles for the bottle tombola – this includes anything from wine, perfume, oil, bath products, cordial.
- New boxed toys for the toy tombola
The collection of items will take place Monday 10th – Friday 21st June. Please leave items on the table outside the school gate or the porch in reception.
Cakes & Manning the Stalls
Your reps will be asking for volunteer bakers to make 30 cakes per year group (individual cakes, biscuits, brownies, ideally not whole please) to be brought to RSG on the day. Ideally, bring a tray of individual cupcakes so these can be handed round.
Your reps will also be asking for help to man the stalls – please help them fill these short time slots.
Many thanks in advance for your help in supporting this event.
SHUS (second-hand uniform sale)
SHUS will not open on Thursday 6th June but there will be 2 opportunities to purchase uniform before the end of term:
- Friday 14th June 8:30-10: 30 am at the SHUS shed
- Sunday 23rd June at the Summer Fair at RSG
Donations: Please put any SHUS donations into the box on the Rokeby car park. Please only give uniform that is in excellent condition and that you yourself would be happy to purchase. Please do NOT donate white shirts, shorts or trousers as we do not stock them.
New RPC Announcement
We have all very much enjoyed our time on the RPC which comes to an end this year. We have been very fortunate to have four parents who have agreed to take over in September 2019. A big thank to Michele Costain (Chair), Monika Hicks, Lisa Long and Chiara Affley (Treasurer). We know they will do a great job and wish them all the best.
Rokeby Summer Fair
Please save the date for the Rokeby Summer Fair – a really fun day for all the family. We will have a variety of stalls, food and entertainment for the children (and parents!) so please join us 12-3pm Sunday 23rd June at RSG. Please save the date in your diary.
As usual, we rely on your generosity to help this event run successfully so we will be sending out further details before Half Term of how you can help. We would really appreciate any help you can give.
Brochure Advertisements
We are currently in the process of compiling the Summer Fair brochure. We are selling advertisement space to local businesses. The brochure is sent out to approximately 400 families in the school community. In the past, a hugely broad spectrum of businesses has advertised including wine merchants, photography studios, property companies, babysitting agencies, clothes stores, dentists and doctors.
If you have a business that you would like to advertise or know of any business that might be interested in advertising please contact Belinda Boon (b.pilcher@hotmail.co.uk). The deadline for placing an advertisement is Friday 17th May.
April 2019
Fabulous Fun Run & Egg Hunt – £4,000 Raised
Thank you to all of those that came along to the Easter Fun Run and Egg Hunt. For those who sadly couldn’t make it this year you really missed out! It turned out to be a glorious sunny day – rather too hot for those running in full body fancy dress.
We hid over 1,300 eggs for the boys and siblings to find and not a stone was left unturned. Suzie Roberts our resident Gladiator got everyone warmed up for the races which were fiercely contested. After expending lots of energy competitors tucked into the delicious hot snacks, biscuits and thirst quenching orange and watermelon provided by our catering department.
A staggering £4,000 was raised by the event and we thank all those who took part and helped make it such a success.
A photo gallery is available to view here.
March 2019
Save the date – Easter Egg Hunt and Fun Run
Start training now for the school Easter egg hunt and fun run which will be held on Saturday 30th March from 10 am to 12 noon at RSG. More details to follow next week.
February 2019
RPC Cake Sale
A big thank you from the RPC team to all parents for their contribution to the cake sale. It was a great success!
Quiz Night
Thank you to all those who attended the Quiz Night on Friday, it really was a fantastic night. Jules did a wonderful job as Quiz Mistress and an impressive £2,900 was raised, to be divided equally between PWSA, Eikon and the school. We are most grateful for the support of the staff who put together a team and for the generous sponsorship of the World Gold Council.
January 2019
Welcome back to the Spring Term!
We have 4 main RPC events this term so please put them in your diary.
Friday 25th January – Quiz Night held in the Hall at Rokeby and traditionally a relaxed and fun evening with prizes for the winners – sign up! For full details click here.
Thursday 7th February – we are holding an RPC information and recruitment event, more details to follow.
Thursday 14th February – Mufti/cake sale for all and disco for the younger boys.
Saturday 30th March – Easter Fun Run at RSG – what better way to kick start the New Year. Start your training programme now!
Thank you for supporting our events.