Friends of the Correspondence School

F.O.C.S

Supporting Distance Education

History of FOCS | Kathie Aldridge - FOCS Rep

A BRIEF HISTORY OF FOCS

The CSEPA (Correspondence School Ex-Pupils Association) started in 1934 in response to requests from former pupils who wanted to keep in touch with each other and the Correspondence School.

It was run at first by a Teachers Executive and held annual gatherings from 1936. Twenty branches, with district representatives and secretaries, were established. A CSEPA badge was designed and made available from 1936, and in 1962 a CSEPA blazer.

A National Executive was elected at the first conference held at Wallis House in Lower Hutt in 1945. Triennial conferences were held and later AGMs. The CSEPA published "The Budget" which had news of the CSEPA and the school - later the Parents Association and EPA jointly published The Budget until its demise.

Not long after the Associations' formation its declared policy was to co-operate with the Parents Association.

Gifts

• After WWII the CSEPA collected money from members and presented the school with pictures as a memorial to Ex-Pupils who had given their lives.

• An inter house challenge cup was presented for competitions at Residential schools.

• After the school Jubilee (1972) a tea set was presented to the Headmaster to use when entertaining guests

• A set of Encyclopedia Britannica was given to the school in 1979 and annual yearbooks for several years.

• The Foundation stone of the Portland Crescent building and a coffee table featuring off-cuts of the stone were presented in1979.

• School Prizes.

• Library books.

• A CD player

• $400 for an Apple computer (1983)

• A camera for the Art Dept

• An etching printer for the Art Dept

• Support to send a CS staff member to a special Education seminar in Japan.

• A mural (with Parents Association) to celebrate opening of Portland Crescent

• From 1988 the Ex Pupils Association donated sponsorship of pupils for Spirit of Adventure and Spirit of NZ cruises

• From 1993 it sponsored students to the Massey Residential schools.

In 1998 the name was changed to Friends of the Correspondence School in an effort to boost falling membership numbers.

Over the last few years of the association less funds have been raised because of falling membership and aging of the primary committee members who have been a driving force in the past. There were fund raising events by members in the past, now funds are generated by subs ($10 per year) and donations from members which generally come in with the subs.

Leon Goldsmith (science teacher currently in e school) supervises distribution of FOCS funds to students who need it. At 2001 A.G.M Leon gave this list of student camps and other activities that he would use FOCS sponsorship if needed:

·        Student Reps training camp

·        Computer camps

·        Camp Wainui in Banks Peninsular for South Island secondary students

·        Fair Go Advertisement video competition

·        'Massey' style Residential School in Christchurch

·        Spirit of New Zealand sailing trips. 7 berths are allocated to CS students and Leon intends to request more. The FOCS John Styles fund sponsors one student per year for the Spirit of NZ, John Styles was a CS teacher and the treasurer of the Ex Pupils Association for many years

Because of a fall in membership numbers over several years FOCS have merged with the Parents Association.  The Parents are interested in keeping the Association going both for the monetary help it gives students and so their children will have the opportunity to join an old pupils association if they wish to continue links with the school.

FOCS Representative on TCSPSA

Kathie Aldridge

Dear Friends

Many of you will know me but for those who don’t I’ll tell you a little about myself.

I live out in the Queen Charlotte Sounds in a boat-access-only area.  I have just completed 17 years of supervising my three children in Correspondence schooling from our home here in the Bay of Many Coves.  The youngest is 17 and finished schooling in December. Each of my three children completed their entire schooling  from home,  I  was schooled by Correspondence as was my mother – Shirley Buckland. We were both born and grew up in Endeavour Inlet – not far away from where I live now! So the family association with the school has been a long one.

I became involved in my local Parents Association Branch from the very early days of having my children on the roll.  I was Vice President for many years then President for the last four years.  I became the Secretary of The Correspondence School Parents and Supervisors Association 7 years ago and have been on the Executive of Friends (FOCS) for several years now.

The Correspondence School has taken up a large part of my life as has my involvement outside of supervising.  My long association with the School however is not to end yet – in fact far from it!  I continue to be The Correspondence School Parents and Supervisors Association National Secretary, a committee member on the Marlborough/Nelson/Pelorus Regional Committee and now the FOCS Representative.

In many ways I feel quite honored in holding this position.  I have a very genuine interest and affinity for anything concerning The Correspondence School.  There is no other way to put it other than to say – it is in my blood!

Should you have any concerns, questions, or queries please do contact me.

I shall update our page on the web site each term or as necessary/appropriate. Should you have any thing you would like published or have any ideas or thoughts please do share them with me, I am keen to have contact with members and give the organization a higher profile. 

I will post you your copy of  TCSPSA newsletter each term and where necessary any relevant information and updates. I very much look forward to having contact with you all.

Warmest regards

Kathie Aldridge

FOCS Rep

secretary@tcspsa.org.nz