1. Click here for JPG Journal June 2010

The Ranches JPG (JESS Parents Group) was formed in May 2006 and includes parents at both the Primary and Secondary school. We work very closely with, and receive tremendous support from the school and we have two main objectives which are:
Firstly, to promote a sense of community within the Arabian Ranches parents and in the area and to give opportunities to JESS parents to become involved in their school community
Secondly, to act as a fund-raising organisation to raise funds not just for the school but also for charity.

Both the school and the JPG have a very strong link with a Vietnamese hospital charity, although other charitable causes would always be considered too. This aspect of the JPG, the support for charitable causes is very important to our children, particularly our Secondary students and we are hoping to involve the older Secondary children with these charities much more in the future. The Arabian Ranches JPG provides the ‘extra touches’, the ‘icing on the cake’ as it were, not just in terms of items given to the school but also in terms of events organised for the children in the form of parties, Easter Egg hunts etc.

Where has the money gone so far?
Bike Racks
Digital cameras
Audio-equipment
Outside play equipment
Secondary picnic tables
Vietnamese hospital charity
Other charities

We also provide ‘Achievement Cups’, one each for Primary and Secondary which are JPG branded and are awarded for ‘Good Citizenship’ – reflecting the core values of the JPG, i.e. a sense of community and good team-work.

Events
Major Events that the Ranches JPG organises every year are:

The Spring Fair
This is now an annual event in February and each time has proved to be a great success both in terms of fundraising and in terms of building community spirit making a profit each time of c. AED 30,000. 

The 'Black-Tie' Social Evening for Parents
Each year, we organise a glamorous social event for JESS parents to enjoy. In 2008 the theme was 'James Bond' and in 2009, we rolled out the red carpet and held a 'Hollywood' evening for over 200 guests.  Both events proved to be highly enjoyable and successful fund-raisers with the Hollywood evening raising more than AED 33,000.

Throughout the year we are also busy organising many other smaller events such as:
Table-Top sales
International Food days
Photography competitions
Quiz nights
Tea-towels
School Calendar
Refreshments at all school concerts
End-of-year parties for each year group (i.e. cinema experiences, Magic shows, dance parties, bowling trips, leavers discos)
Book & Bake Sales

We have achieved a lot since our formation not long ago but we would love to do so much more and with the continued growth of the Secondary school there is a need to continue to do more and to develop certain areas.
The current JPG is a very small core of people working very hard to achieve a great deal and we would very much welcome new people, new ideas and new contacts to build on the great things that we have achieved so far and to improve on them going forward. Any support that parents can give, whether it is in joining the committee, running part of an event, turning up on the day to support us or even just buying a raffle ticket – any and every involvement no matter how large or small is appreciated and helps to support our community.
We are very lucky to have a wonderful school in a lovely community and the JPG is trying to add to this by enhancing the children’s years at JESS, all on a completely voluntary basis!

JPG (Ranches) Committee Members 2009/10:
Chairperson – Monica Kapila
Vice Chairperson – Tricia Evans
Treasurer - Gop Menon
Assistant Treasurer – Isabel Vyas and Sandra Bernard
Secretary – Paula Stewart
Assistant Secretary – Position vacant
Primary Co-ordinator – Tazmin Walker
Secondary Co-ordinator – Su Taylor
Committee Members –Fay Bishop, Hayet Zerelli, Kim Ashfield, Penny John, Theresa Gobara, Tessa Franz-Marwick, Caroline Bryant, Lisa Ball

If you are interested in joining us or simply in finding out more information about the JPG and how you can help, please check the school notice boards or email jpgranches@gmail.com. We look forward to welcoming you!