Thatcham school fetes raise thousands

Thatcham Park and Spurcroft raised almost £6,000 for improvements to their schools

TWO Thatcham schools which have already held their summer fetes have raised close to £6,000 to improve their schools.

Almost £4,000 was raised at Thatcham Park Primary School's fete held recently.

There were traditional activities such as a tombola and a raffle and a performance by some pupils of an umbrella dance.

The event raised £3,900 which will be used to purchase an ultraviolet protection shade for the Key Stage 1 playground.

The secretary of the parent teacher association, Sue Lister, said: “Considering the times we are living in, it was brilliant.

“We raised more than last year. People were queueing out of the gates.”

She added that the ultraviolet shade would enable the children to play and learn more safely while outdoors.

Spurcroft Primary School held its annual summer fete on Saturday and a sunny day saw hoards of families join in the fun.

The theme was ‘around the world' and the school's new headteacher, Nathan Butler-Broad, and some of the pupils from Year 6 who will be leaving at the end of this month, launched hellium balloons.

The Year 5 and 6 pupils had been learning some traditional dances from around the world in class, which they performed on the day, including the Haka, a traditional Maori dance often performed by New Zealand's All Blacks rugby union team to intimidate their opponents, a Russian dance and a Bollywood inspired number.

The parent-teacher association, which organised the day, raised about £1,700, which will go towards improving the IT provision at the school.

Mr Butler-Broad said: “It was my first fete as headteacher and it was lovely to see so many turn out and enjoy the day.

“A huge thank you to all those who gave their time in order to make it happen.”