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RIBSTON HALL ASSOCIATION Newsletter December 2019

Welcome – RHA Newsletter – December 2019

Well done to all the Year 11 students who have recently sat their GCSE mock exams – we are sure that all of them did their best and there is still plenty of time to focus on weaker areas before the ‘real thing’.  We also hope everyone is looking forward to the festive break.    This will be our final newsletter of 2019 so we wish everyone a Joyful Christmas and Happy New Year.

News & Events

Christmas Raffle – Draw held at the Christmas Concert 13th Dec 2019

We had some fabulous prizes to be won, including £100 cash, £50 restaurant voucher, Christmas Hamper and more.  It was nice to see some of the winners in the audience collect their prizes (other winners will be notified by text).  The RHA would like to thank the companies who kindly donated prizes (Sainsbury, Waterways Museum, Cote Brasserie, Cheltenham Race Course, Cotswold Wildlife Park, Perrygrove Railway and Robert Hall Business Equipment).  The RHA also provided refreshments during the interval and we would like to thank everyone who kindly donated or bought raffle tickets.   The amount raised in total was over £1000 and this will greatly benefit the school & their Wellbeing Hub improvements.  The RHA looks forward to discussing options with the school in 2020.

Changes to the way Amazon supports charities

Just to let you know that Amazon have made changes to the way in which charities can gain donations from purchasers.  You will be directed from Easy Fundraising to use their Amazon Smile site.  The good news is that we (the RHA) are registered via Amazon Smile so please take advantage of this when you do your Christmas shopping.  Just search for Ribston Hall Association. 

Please do remember us this Christmas (and in the future) as it’s such an easy way to support the school without costing you a penny. 

COMMITTEE NEW MEMBERS INFORMAL MEET UP – Friday 31st January 2019 – 7pm The Avenue Pub, Bristol Road, Gloucester, GL1 5TH.

The RHA has a vibrant and enthusiastic committee that supports the school at events and through fundraising.  However, most of the current members have children in the upper years and their term of office is due to end.  New members are urgently needed to bring a wider field of ideas and ensure that the RHA continues in the future.

We are holding an informal get together in the New Year to celebrate our achievements, have a few drinks, and welcome new potential members who are interested in joining us.   Please just turn up or send us an email in advance at rha@ribstonhall.gloucs.sch.uk  so we know to look out for you!

RHA LOGO COMPETITION – prize to be won – EXTENDED DUE DATE!

Entries have been submitted but we need MORE!  The RHA has for many years been without its own logo and we thought it would be fabulous for a student to create one for us.  The winning design will be used in all the RHA notifications and on our section of the website.  Of course, we are offering a prize for the winner.  The creativity and talent within the school is impressive and we are sure the competition will be a hard one to judge.  The logo should encompass the RHA’s principle purpose and the closing date has been extended to the 10th February 2020.  It’s open to students across all years and entries should be emailed to rha@ribstonhall.gloucs.sch.uk .  Good luck and get creative!

COMMITTEE MEMBERS NEEDED 

What does being on the RHA involve?  We usually meet once every half-term (ie every other month) for 1-2 hours in an evening (around 6.00pm). We provide refreshments at school events, arrange fundraising activities which may also involve extra time commitments.

We are a friendly bunch and there is no prior experience needed – just some time, ideas and involvement. Come along to one of our meetings and we will give you a great welcome or contact us at rha@ribstonhall.gloucs.sch.uk with any questions. 

What’s in it for me?  A great feeling of achievement knowing that your efforts have raised funds to support the schools commitment to provide the best education for Ribston’s students.  The realisation that what we do impacts on students school life. Gain an insight into the rhythm of the school through the activities we are involved in.  Why wouldn’t you want to be part of that?

How you can HELP

 - each time you make a purchase from one of the 1000’s retailers, a percentage goes towards our cause.  Sign up at www.easyfundraising.org.uk to register.  Click on ‘Support a good cause’ and search for Ribston Hall Association.

 100/100 Club – from as little as £1.00 a month you can enter our own ‘lottery’.  A chance to win cash through our regular draws with prizes from £10 up to £200!  Request details to join via the school or email the RHA at rha@ribstonhall.gloucs.sch.uk

Donate - set up a standing order for a regular donation or just a one-off. Email the RHA for details on how to do this at rha@ribstonhall.gloucs.sch.uk

Take Part – join the committee (we are always looking for new members) or participate in the events

Facebook – follow us at www.facebook.com/RibstonHallAssociation/ - we post event details and notices here

The FOCUS for our fundraising in 2019/2020

Your support for the RHA and the events we arrange is vital especially in view of continuing Government budget cuts to the school funds.  The RHA committee reviews all requests and we hope that our decisions reflect the expectations of the parents.  (NB-the best way to influence this is to join our committee!).  Our focus continues to be on the following projects:-

RIBSTON HALL HIGH SCHOOL ‘WELLBEING HUB’

The ‘Wellbeing Hub’ is an exciting project to integrate all the pastoral care within the school into a specifically designed, bright, relaxing and safe place for the students to visit.  The RHA has already funded £6000 towards the renovations and the ‘hub’ is well on its way (with fabulous student input) to realising its vision.  

RIBSTON HALL HIGH SCHOOL ‘LIBRARY’

The library has always been a vital function of Ribston Hall and it is forever changing to meet the demands and needs of the students.  There is hope to install a ‘private area’ where students can discuss their career choices.

 

 

STUDY CENTRE

Re-designation of rooms within the school to create a new ‘study centre’.  This gives students from Y7 to Y13 a dedicated area to study where they can focus on revision and projects away from the distractions of school life.  RHA support to provide additional equipment has been requested, with your support we hope to be able to contribute to this important space.

Who are we?

Well, the RHA constitution says we are here to:-

         i.            Develop more extended relationships between staff, parents and others associated with the school

       ii.            Engage in activities which support the school and advance the education of the pupils attending it

      iii.            Provide and assist in the provision of facilities for education at the school not normally provided by the department of Education & Employment

Or, in other words, we like organising events to raise essential funds for the school so they can make purchases that benefit our children. And, of course, have FUN.

By the way, all parents of students at Ribston Hall automatically become a member of the RHA.

Your RHA contacts:-

Mrs Wendy Hiiemäe – Chair

Ann-Marie Karadia – Secretary

Julie Paveley – Treasurer

Sarah Colombini - Head

Oliver Dyer – committee member

Liz Good – committee member

Louisa Smallpage-Mitchell  - committee member

Anna Birt – committee member

Elisa Jordan – committee member

 

If you would like to contact the committee, please email rha@ribstonhall.gloucs.sch.uk 

 

Dates for Diary:-

RHA NEXT MEETING

Monday 10th February 2020 – 6pm – Ribston Hall High School - Library

FAMILY QUIZ –

Friday 6th March 2020 – 7pm – Ribston Hall High School – Main Hall