School brings community together with summer fair
By Abi Wightman
ALVERSTOKE INFANT SCHOOL were celebrating last weekend as they hosted their annual Summer Fair; which was held in glorious warm sunshine and was open to the entire community including residents across the village.
It welcomed adults and children alongside Gosport’s Deputy Mayor Kevin Casey and his wife Hazel, who spent time chatting with students, stallholders and volunteers from Friends of Alverstoke (the Parent Teacher Association).
The Deputy Mayor remarked: “It was an absolute pleasure visiting the school with its amazing grounds and hidden areas tucked away behind the pine trees and pathways. Our thanks to both the Headteacher Vanessa Ridler, and Abi from the PTA, who ensured we were well looked after, and answered our questions. Their pride and dedication for the school stood out a mile.”
Volunteers pulled together to make homemade bunting and signs, designing and distributing flyers, barbecuing hot dogs, hosting a bar, manning bouncy castles, running a tombola and raffle, and playing traditional games with guests. Free activities were available such as chalk drawing on the playground, alongside pay-as-you-go services like face painting.
Several local businesses donated raffle prizes and experiences including St Vincent College’s E-Sports Department, which supplied a racing simulator. Its positioning in the cool of the air-conditioned pre-school building offered some momentary respite from the outdoor activities and stalls.
Headteacher Vanessa Ridler noted: “The children thoroughly enjoyed a spectacular fire show and circus workshops, Alverstoke Infants Summer Fair was a huge success, thanks to the dedication of our PTA volunteers and the countless hours of hard work they put in to arranging it. This was a really special community event. A great time was had by all.”
This type of fundraising is so vital to the school, enabling the purchase of items and experiences which benefit all the students. This academic year the children have benefited from an up-close owl experience, book vouchers, mascot visits, chocolate eggs at Easter, new rugs for their classrooms, and a Santa experience, to name but a few.
Overall the event raised the total of £1,300 and this was congratulated by the Deputy Mayor. Readers can get involved in future fundraising and event planning with Friends of Alverstoke by emailing foa@alverstoke-inf.hants.sch.uk.
PICTURED: Headteacher Vanessa Ridler stands with Deputy Mayor Kevin Casey and his wife Hazel in front of balloon archway (supplied by Celebrate Occasions & Seasons).
