The Pate's Parents' Association Spring Fair always makes the school site come alive in a different way and we were thrilled that so many members of the school and local community came and enjoyed the activities on offer - it was a super event!

As is with tradtion, Year 7 & 8 students ran stalls in the Hall, sharing the space with local businesses, charities, staff and PPA stalls. The students were impeccably behaved, enjoying their independence and interactions with customers, families and school staff - they wre fabulous ambassadors for the school. Stalls ranged from penalty shoot outs to waffle making, biscuit decorating and carnival games. Attendees were entertained by the Jazz Orchestra who performed two magnificent sets on the stage - their music certainly added to the lively mood in the Hall. Thank you to Gill Mew, Miss Lane and the musicians for supporting once again.

It was the first time that the extended Climbing Wall has been used for this event and it was very popular, with children from age 5 + able to enjoy a climbing taster. Cheltenham MP Alex Chalk KC, was able to join us and he made it to the top of the wall before heading to the much more sedate brick build activity! He was among many others who put down bricks (think Lego bricks) for one of the school's 450th anniversary projects - recreating a portrait of founder Richard Pate - with over 4,000 bricks to complete the build!. We thank Corpus Christi College, Oxford, for allowing us to reproduce the image of Richard Pate from their collection for this project. When completed the brick portrait will be exhibited in a central space in the school.

It was a treat for the Cyber Hub to be open where Mrs Fenn and her team of Year 12 students ran activities with spheros (coding robots) and microbits. For many, this was an introduction to the use of this type of technology for learning and visitors were very keen to hear about how technology is used in Computing lessons at Pate's from Year 7 onwards.

We were very happy that Giueppe Dell'Anno, 2021 Great British Bake Off winner, was able to join us and support the Fair with a talk and Q & A with PPA Chair, Fiona Crouch. He talked about the influence of his father's cooking whilst he was growing up and his time on the GBBO, showing behind the scenes video clips. He wowed with his creative skills by decorating one of his bakes and this became the main raffle prize. The winner was thrilled to have won it and reports that it was 'fabulous'! His talk was followed by a book signing with both his books available for purchase - 'Giuseppe's Italian Bakes' and 'Giuseppe's Easy Bakes'. Thank you Giuseppe for your generous support of this event!

To find out more about Giuseppe, please look to his website giuseppedellanno.com and social media X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram: @giuseppecooks

The PPA will shortly be able to announce the final total raised from the Spring Fair and which projects in the school they will be supporting with the proceeds. The school is hugely grateful for the time and effort that the PPA put into raising funds for the school and encourage any Pate's parent to get in touch with the team if they would like to help PAChair@pategs.org