FOJORPS continues to go from strength to strength with our fund raising activities in the Summer culminating in raising the fantastic total of £6000 from Community Day – we believe that this is the highest figure ever raised from the day – thanks to all who supported either by manning a stall or just coming on the day to join in the fun. Our new Head Teacher – Ian Bateman – already has some big ideas of what to spend the money on. Currently topping his spending list is Interactive White Boards for every classroom in the school – let’s see what we can do!

Children’s Discos for Infants and Juniors went off well in October despite a bit of a hiccup with dates with the DJ – thanks to Adey of Retro Roadshow for helping us out at the last minute! The regular Quiz Night continues to be as popular as ever, and for once a strong showing from the teachers team gave the usual contenders a run for their money. Thank you to all who have taken part in these events – we look forward to your continued support.
We’re trying a new event this term – a Ladies Night will run on Friday 11th November – described as an evening of Pampering, Indulgence and Retail Therapy – and hardly a man in sight. Representatives from a wide range of conventional and alternative therapists, and a number of well known and not so well known retailers will be displaying their wares. 

As usual, Christmas is coming up on us very quickly, and following on from the success of last year’s event, we are holding our Christmas Bazaar after school on Friday 9th December. There will be various activities and stalls for adults and children and Father Christmas in his grotto. Refreshments and drinks will also be available. At the Christmas Bazaar we will draw the Christmas Raffle – prizes this year include an iPOD Shuffle, Food Hamper, Big Teddy Bear, Wine Hamper, and various others. You can buy your raffle tickets through school or committee members, and of course at the Christmas Bazaar.

Dates for your diary………. 

· Friday 9th December Christmas Bazaar and Raffle Draw

Provisional dates for 2006…………

· Saturday 4th March Children’s Discos
· Saturday 18th March Fun Quiz
· Saturday 10th June Community Day ’06

Watch out for posters with more details closer to the dates!

The FOJORPS Committee is: Caroline Mills, Sarah Abel, Sue Jacklin, Wanda Russell, Richard Abel, Kay Brittain, Clare Stewart, Adam McLoughlin, Jez Marshall, Jeni Jobson, Kate Bailey, Julie Snelling, Janette Wall, Jenny Winfieldale, Richard Slade

Adam McLoughlin
On behalf of FOJORPS

Plans are now well advanced for the annual Community Day event that will take place on Saturday 11 June on the field at the Alderbrook site. As usual, there will be activities for young and old, so whatever else you’re doing on that day try to come along and support both the school and the local community. Attractions will include the usual Pole Bashing, Ducking Stool, Rollercoaster, Football Competition but also some new things like the Rodeo Bull, inflatable Obstacle Course and Bungee Run and Kids Go-Karts. Tutbury Band will be there to provide your musical entertainment for the day, and the Puppet Show will keep kids young and old entertained with its traditional fairy stories. If you’re lucky, you might even get to meet Mr Bateman who will take up post from September as the new Head Teacher. If you have an hour or two to spare either on Saturday morning, or during Friday, we will gratefully receive any help to set things up for the day – just turn up, and we’ll find you a job. Gates will open from 11.00am and stay open until around 4.00pm.

Our twice annual quiz night still continues to draw in the crowds, even when it competes with local ‘celebrity’ birthday parties on the same night! Some of the team names leave a bit to the imagination, with ‘No F in Chance’, ‘Norfolk in Clue’ and the ‘Barmy Bar Stewards’ in evidence at the last event – perhaps it’s time to censor the team names! Our next Quiz will take place on Saturday 15th October at 7.00 for a 7.30pm start.

The school is still hosting the Dove Valley sports events over the Summer Term, and several sporting events are organised where pupils from many of the local primary schools will compete. John of Rolleston has traditionally done very well in these events, often finishing either first or second. FOJORPS will be supporting these events by offering refreshments to the hungry hoards, and taking the opportunity to extract cash from somebody else’s pockets rather than our usual supporters.

This year brings a landmark occasion to JoR School in that George Arblaster retires at the end of August, handing over the reins to Ian Bateman. George has been Head Teacher at the school for over twenty years, and has certainly made his mark on the school, community and the young people who have passed through the school. We wish him well in his retirement, and hope that he will continue to stay in touch with the school, and volunteer to come back next year to assemble the Ducking Stool for CD06! All the best George!

Dates for your Diary

· Community Day ’05 - 11 June 11.00am
· DoveValley Rounders - 28 June 4.00pm
· Dove Valley Athletics - 4 July 6.15pm
· Quiz Night - 15 October 7 for 7.30pm
· Ladies Night - 11 November 7 for 7.30pm
· Christmas Bazaar - 9 December 3.30–7.00pm

Over the course of the year, FOJORPS has been able to provide a number of new resources to the school, only made possible by your continued support at our events. Can we take this opportunity to thank all who have contributed to this, either in kind, or in supporting our events?

For more information on FOJORPS or its activities, you can contact the Committee through the school office. 

Adam McLoughlin 
On behalf of FOJORPS

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Last updated: 18 December 2005