Category: Fundraising

Egg-cellent Berry-tastic Easter

IMG_0070Guest Reporter: Gemma Mitchell

We enjoyed beautiful sunshine for our Easter Fun Day – we all know Mrs Berry is capable of organising anything, even the weather! The Jackson family were our hosts for the day and did a fabulous job, thank you so much.

The first of our 150 guests began to arrived at 10am and were straight onto the bouncy castle, zip wire or busy with craft activities in the party barn. Sarah and Karen Burton were kept busy all day face painting and the kids looked fabulous.

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Hard at work at crafts in the barn

We started the Easter Egg Hunt at 11am and all the children (including some big kids!) had a booklet and went off searching for clues in the garden, field and the woods while the adults enjoyed a cuppa and a bun in the sunshine. When they had found all the clues and completed their Easter words they collected their prize of an Easter egg.

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The grown-ups getting pretty serious about that egg and spoon race

The prize draw for the bunny came up next, with Jack being overwhelmed with his prize that was bigger than him! It was soon time for lunch which we all agreed was the best BBQ food in South Yorkshire and we spent some more time relaxing and enjoying the facilities. It was a real family atmosphere with everyone chipping in to serve food, clear up and help wherever needed.

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Mrs B showing the girls how elevation gets done properly.

All that changed with the highly competitive egg and spoon races which culminated in the teacher’s race, won by Mrs Berry. We also had an expert judge, Suzanne Leech, for our colouring competition with many wonderful entries.

The day ended with a visit from an ice cream van and everyone left happy after a thoroughly enjoyable day. When the gazebos were put away and all was tidy, myself, fellow Committee members Andrea and Charise and also Mrs Berry decided it was our turn on the zip wire – we were very proud of ourselves.

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Aliyah, Laylah, Eleanor and Grace make a new friend

It was a fantastic day. Thanks to all who came, a big thank you to everyone who helped out before, during and after the event, and of course a massive well done and thank you to the Jackson family.

Mrs Berry and her staff would like to thank Gemma and the Fundraising Committee, not to mention the Jackson family and everyone else who helped make this wonderful event possible. We are very grateful and impressed by the Fundraising Committee’s activities and the generosity of the friends of the school who continue to support it time and time again. 

If you would like to find out more about our Fundraising Committee, please click here.

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And they’re off!

Guest Reporter: Gemma Mitchell

Friday 27th February saw the latest in our series of fundraising events with a family race night. Team Berry did us proud and a great night was had by all. We would like to thank the many local businesses who sponsored us:

Race 1 – Daisy Chain private day care

Race 2 – Butterfly Wings Dancewear

Race 3 – P Ridal Engineering

Race 4 – Malin Bridge Sports and Social Club

Race 5 – Helens of Hillsborough

Race 6 – Smithy Garage

Race 7 – Butterfly Beauty and Nails

Race 8, (last but by no means least) was sponsored by Sharon Berry School of Theatre Dance.

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Eyes down, look in…

Family and friends then sponsored each horse in the race and the winners received a box of chocolates and a bag of sweets. We started with races 1 to 3 as we all queued to place our bets and then cheered on our chosen horses. There was a quick break for delicious pie and peas provided by Stanwood Friery with plenty of Henderson’s Relish then we moved on to races 4 & 5. Time now for a couple of games organised (in a very teacher-like manner) by myself. First, one for the adults: ‘heads or tails’. Everyone stood up and placed their hands on their head or their bottom and a coin was flipped. If they guessed wrong they were out. After four rounds we were down to Mrs Berry’s best friend Vicki and former Berry Babe Linzi Thompson with the prize being the choice of a signed SWFC or SUFC shirt. Linzi won and opted for the United shirt.

Victorious Blade Linzi with her prize
Victorious Blade Linzi with her prize

Next it was the kids turn with bingo and the chance to win another fantastic prize of an iPod shuffle. All children had a single bingo ticket and if their number was called they had to sit down, and last person standing was the winner. Another tense finale as we went down to just two – Alfie Wright and Sophie Waterfall, with Sophie victorious. Two more races and then it was time for the auction race. Some very competitive bidding with Jerry Bridger bravely taking on Mrs Berry, I think we all know who won that one!!

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Sophie, proud new owner of an iPod shuffle with her friends

We would like to thank all who attended, sponsored and participated in the games. A huge well done to you for helping us to raise another brilliant amount of money.

Sharon Berry School would also like to thank Gemma and the rest of the fundraising team for organising yet another fantastic event.

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Fundraising Frenzy

In September we launched our Fundraising Committee, made up of parents of the school and staff members, who have been working tirelessly to raise money for the school for the subsidy of show costumes and a trip to Disneyland Paris in summer 2015 where 30 pupils will travel to perform there. 

Through many clever initiatives, ranging from collecting 20 pence pieces in Smartie tubes to a Weekly Bonus Ball we are very proud to report a rather fruitful four months from the Fundraising Committee!

A Bonfire Party held by the Jackson family at Greenhead Housefarm helped begin the fundraising, we had a great time with special visitor Mr Claus at our Children’s Christmas Disco and we also enjoyed a fantastic Christmas Craft Event. Many of you attended our Christmas Concert, with over 220 adult tickets sold (and over 250 people squeezed into St Thomas More Community Centre). To round it off there was what Miss Marie has described as “the best hour of my life”, carol singing at Parson Cross Asda. Our pupils, staff and parents gave shoppers some musical cheer and the festive mood helped raise lots of money from the very generous people who passed by.

2015 01 Scholarship Noms


These events are only the highlights of course, and with lots of different scale projects, our Fundraising Committee has raised a fantastic amount of money so far. Corporate sponsorship has also been secured from Crucible Homes and Lettings, who will be providing the kit for the pupils travelling to Disneyland Paris.

The committee met last Saturday, and they have lots planned for 2015. Watch out for events, including a race night planned for the end of February. 

Congratulations to the Committee leaders Andrea, Gemma, Charise and Lindsay and the rest of the Fundraising Committee, what a way to start! A huge thank you to parents, staff and friends of the school who are supporting us in our activities, either through donating raffle prizes or attending our events. Your time and generosity are greatly appreciated and will help us to provide a more affordable dance experience for each pupil.

We can’t wait to see what happens next… onwards and upwards!

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