While the amount of time boys spend at Pilgrims' is a large proportion of their life, in my case I have been a parent at Pilgrims' for over a quarter of my life.  I can’t tell you how many minutes of school sport I have watched (a good friend of mine described the ability to watch school sport as the most expensive season ticket he had!). I can still sing most of Ocean Commotion (one time performed at home during Covid – big hand to Russell du Plessis for pulling that off). I have experienced the highs and lows of the speech competition, two charity balls and hundreds of PPA events, and the now legendary Cricket Tour to Sri Lanka! 

The Pilgrims’ Parents Association is a remarkable organisation, and the positive impact it has had on the school and parent body has been tremendous over the 12 years I have been involved. 

Apart from raising huge amounts for various local, national and international charities, the PPA has paid for and contributed towards a huge number of items over that time. The large items have been the Alex Halliday Pavilion, the smaller Pavilion, the astro covering of the quad (secretly known as the Duncan/Burnand Lawn), the individually themed dorms, to the Tardis in the library, to various art department items, IT and loads of other smaller items. 

The PPA does so much good for the school, not only for the funds it raises but also for the parent community.  One of the tasks I set myself was to integrate the parent body, so that we could enjoy all the events as one. The Lunar New Year Lunch was a great way for the school community to embrace this, and I was very pleased to see over 60 of us gather in the Pilgrims' Hall to experience this cultural event. Embracing this as a multicultural event has had an impact on getting the whole parent body together for the Festival weekend. I referred to a comment I received about the School of Rock not being for everyone last week. I think we proved it is for anyone who wants to be involved, and it was lovely to see this last weekend. 

These events are for everyone and I think a challenge for Sarah Noble and her team will be to filter the message down to the Pre-Prep (PP). The connection to the Pre-Prep is considerably better than when I first joined the school with representatives from the Pre-Prep on the PPA and through the Reps. As a Pre-Prep parent, please remember that your sons will benefit most from the funds raised. Your involvement in helping with events is crucial, and I would encourage you to put them in the diary and when your Rep asks for help, please, please say yes. 

I can’t thank the Class Reps enough for all they do. It is a job that I believe one parent from each family should take on as their son passes through school. It should not be onerous and will allow you to meet other parents. It involves one meeting a term and passing on communication from the school. It is such an important role, and we are hugely grateful to all those who have been one this year. Deborah Simpson is and has been a superstar in being the Class Reps representative on the PPA. There is no doubt that with her at the helm the role as class rep is even easier! This year's Reps have been a tremendous support. I have loved the ‘can do’ attitude. Several times last week, Reps would either ask what they could do to help, or, having asked a question, then turn around and say “don’t worry, I will sort it.” Music to my ears! 

One essential part of the PPA is the Second Hand Shop. An extraordinary subset of the PPA, and with Julie Allen from the Front Office supporting, they make sure that everything is beautifully presented and ready for sale each Wednesday morning. And for new parents to kit out their boys too. They are a great team and thank you to Melissa, Wendy, Georgette, Farah, Amanda, Nicola, Valentina, Runee and Julie.   

When I took on the role as Chair, I knew I needed support from the committee and decided to allocate roles to take the pressure off. I appreciate that this system did sometimes mean not everyone knew what was going on, but it did mean that it took huge amounts of pressure off me. A huge thanks to Eleanor Warr who handled all the catering for all the events from Pre-Prep coffee mornings to the festival weekend by liaising closely with the legendary Sam Birks and her catering team. Farah Akhundov brilliantly got to grips with the contents of the PPA shed and, in turn, all the stalls, making sure that everything was ready to go for each event. Asye Margossian (ably assisted by Robert) took on procurement and ensured we were well stocked for each event.  A huge thanks to Gulia Garside for making the ticket process work, Maxim Crewe and now Heidi Ho for dealing with the treasurer role and Georgette James for her amazing posters. Thank you to Shadi Hashemi for handling the charity side of things and Jess Xu for the remarkable effort in pulling together the best ever Lunar Lunch.  Valentina Slee was brilliant with merchandise and just being there to do the last minute things that had slipped through the net.  Dave Cheshire, despite being in the USA for half the year, still managed to run the bar team and is very ready to take on BBQ duties (Sorry Dave you did it far too well, and I am sure Robert will be there by your side!).  Others involved were Torie Steen and Charlotte Crewe to assist when needed. 

Within the school, I was very pleased to see our Headmaster back on the committee. Tim’s presence is so important to give guidance in the direction of fundraising. All the staff assist in their own way, but I would like to highlight Cathryn Palmer in the Accounts Office for keeping the finances in order. Andy Clark (and his team), who whilst new to the role, has already demonstrated his ‘can do’ attitude. Sam Birks, assisted by Karen, has excelled, and it has been a joy to work with them this year. Angela Slater is behind the scenes making sure everything is in order with regards to the parent portal, tickets and reports and flyers in the newsletter. Words cannot express my admiration for Alistair Duncan. He has picked up so many roles that have been left by teachers who have retired and has been a huge support to me in the role and all we have tried to achieve. 

While I suspect Anna handed over to me with a sense of trepidation, it is totally the opposite with me handing over to my successor. I know the PPA is going to be in dependable hands as I pass the batten onto Sarah Noble. She somehow always has a cheerful smile on her face. Nothing is too much trouble, whether climbing ladders to put Pudsey Ears on the front porch, hanging bunting or picking things up when there is no one else to do it.  Sarah will be an amazing Chair, and it will be very comforting to hand over to her. 

As I sign off from this and the School, I do so knowing that the school which we will always feel part of is in exceptionally good hands.  After a turbulent few terms, Alistair put it back on an even keel. I have enjoyed watching Tim Butcher settle into his role and am really confident that with Rupert Bentley as Director of Finance and an established SMT, (and his family), the school will go from strength to strength. 

From time to time, Natalie and I discuss whether, and knowing what we know, we would do the same again and always conclude “we would without doubt make the same decision and do it all again!” 

George Burnand
Outgoing Chair of PPA