After the successful 'Black and Silver Masked Ball' over two years ago (it seems like only 5 minutes ago!) the planning for this year's event is under way. This time, I've decided on a venue change and it is being held at The Manchester Airport Moat House Hotel, Wilmslow.

The main purpose of this event is to raise funds for our school and this year the money raised is being used to set up a Special Needs Fund, which not only will benefit the children on that register, but help to provide extra IT programs that can be used to benefit all. One such scheme that the school is currently looking at installing on all the computers is Wordshark, a spelling program that is an enormous help for all the children and it is the hope that the fund could pay for extra resources of this nature.

After breaking all my expectation at the last Ball and raising a staggering sum of money, I hope that we could, this time raise about £3000, but this is only achievable through people's generosity. If anyone is able to donate an item for the Grand Draw or Auction, has any unusual contacts or fundraising ideas, Id love to hear from you. Please contact me anytime through the school office.

The tickets will be £27.50 each and include an arrival drink, a fabulous 3 course dinner with coffee and an evening of entertainment. I'm hoping that our evening will be hosted, once again, by Mark Simpkin and his wife Trisha Penrose, who did a fantastic job for us last time, however this depends on work commitments. George Galway's Swing Band will be performing and then a disco to follow.

The tickets can be purchased individually, in couples or by tables of 10 or 12. If you wish to apply for tickets, please complete a reply slip (available from school) and hand it to me from 8.30 on Monday 23rd May in the school entrance hall. Applications will be numbered and tickets allocated on a first come, first served basis.

A list of successful applicants will be published by Thursday 26th May and a "wait" list, if necessary. I hope the latter won't occur this time, as the venue can seat more people. Payment for the tickets MUST be made by Wednesday 16th June, failure to do so will result in tickets being reallocated. If the demand for tickets is far greater than the capacity of the venue, a limit of 6 tickets per applicant will apply.

We are hoping that this event will be a huge success, so please try and support us and don't forget, I'm waiting on any fundraising ideas!

Thanks for your support

Kate McLean PTA