|
By Karen Stone
More than 200 people, including eight past P.T.A. Chairmen and their wives as invited guests, attended the Beaulieu Golden Jubilee Ball on Saturday 28th February. The Ball, held at the Radisson Hotel, was to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the longest running and one of the most successful Parent and TeacherAssociations in Jersey. Since 1959 a magnifi cent sum of
£670.000.00 has been raised by the P.T.A. and donated in a myriad of different ways to benefi t Beaulieu. As the guests arrived they were given a rousing welcome from The Beaulieu and De La Salle Big Band, conducted with great enthusiasm by Leigh Saunter. Later in the evening the P.T.A. gave a Voucher to the Band in gratitude. After pre-dinner drinks, the guests were welcomed into dinner. The candles were burning, the fairy lights were shimmering and the light caught the golden gauze decorating the chairs. At four focal points around the room looking stunning, shining and sparkling, were four large Beaulieu Crests completely covered in blue and gold glitter that were suspended from the ceiling. Tables were bedecked in stars,
Beaulieu Crest drinks mats, candles, favours in golden bags and menus tied with gold and blue ribbon. Around the perimeter of the room were large displays of gold and blue helium fi lled stars and two large, fragrant, beautifully arranged pedestals of gold agapanthus and white lilies (the fl eur de lys of the school crest). The room which had initially depressed the Committee by its sheer drabness had by much hard work, skill and dedication been truly transformed.
During the evening Sister Marie Louise and John Etienne, son of the fi rst P.T.A. Chairman, Major Etienne, cut a specially commissioned magnifi cent Anniversary cake. The cake had kindly been made and donated by Alfonso’s. As a mark of recognition and thanks for 50 years unfailing support of the P.T.A., Sister Marie Louise was presented with a Jersey Silver Christening Bowl inscribed with the School Crest, acknowledgement of her 50 years commitment. Shaun Kavanagh, co- Chairman, then presented Headmaster Chris Beirne with the keys to a 16 seater Vauxhall Movano Minibus, a gift to Beaulieu to mark the 50th Anniversary. Chris Beirne gave thanks and a speech on behalf of the School, quoting in part from the very fi rst P.T.A. Minutes in 1959, when Sister Agnes was Headmistress of the School. Following Chris Beirne’s speech, the cutting of the cake and the sparking wine toast, Simon May co-Chairman announced the Raffl e. There were some fantastic prizes and the evening’s Raffl e raised £2,100.00. After the excitement of the Raffle there was dancing to music provided by the D.J. The evening fi nally drew to a close at 1:30 a.m. with lots of very happy people saying their goodbyes and asking when the next Ball would be! (2011 is Beaulieu’s Diamond Jubilee). Chris Beirne, quoted in Monday’s J.E.P., said “The Ball was an outstanding success. It was an opportunity to celebrate and give thanks to all the people who for so many years have given great service to the School in many different ways.” Seeing so many extremely happy people enjoying the evening so much, made all the hard work worthwhile. In the lead up to the Ball it had been advertised as promising to be “glittering” and “memorable”. With Kari Pitcher and Penny Egerton’s shining crests it was literally glittering and it certainly was memorable. A huge thank you to all who gave up so much time and effort and to all who attended, it all contributed to making the evening a glittering, memorable and outstanding success. |
Twenty-two year old Olivia Jordan-Higgins is getting ready to chase her dream to become a professional golfer. After finishing her BSE in sports science she will attempt to qualify at two stages in Florida in September and December. Only the top thirty ladies will get their card. She plans to return to Jersey after this to travel from Jersey to any major tournaments.
Parent Briefing Issue 6 July 2009 (