Batley Grammar School - Old Batelians Association

Let me extend a very warm welcome to you all to the Batelians section of the school website. 2007-8 has been a year of great change for the Batelians' Association. We have clarified our aims and objectives, written a constitution which will guide all our deliberations, restructured the Batelians' Association committee, created a number of sub committees, defined new categories of membership and, instead of an annual dinner in 2007, held a School Reunion. You can read more about the Reunion by clicking on the hotlink to the left.

I feel strongly that the Batelians' Association should be an association in which all former pupils of the school have automatic membership. In the past only those who paid subscriptions were deemed to be members of the Batelians' Association. This is now no longer the case. Any former pupil of Batley Grammar School will now automatically be a Batelian and will have standard membership. Of course, I hope that everyone will elect for subscription membership. £10 per year from all Batelians will transform our funds and enable us to support the school and its pupils to a far greater extent than ever before.

Philip Gott, president 2007/09

I would like to encourage all Batelians to pay membership fees by an annual standing order (direct debit arrangements are too expensive for us). A standing order form can be downloaded from this website. In this way there would be no cheques lost in the post, no forgetful moments, no worries about changes of address etc. Of course, you may wish to enquire about life membership. Please email your Membership Secretary, David Blamires (1985 to 1992) or telephone the HM’s secretary (01924 474980) for a standing order form or for further information about life membership.

Here are our agreed aims and objectives that we think give a real focus to the work of the Batelians' Association.

Aims :

1) To maintain contact with all former pupils.

2) To encourage former pupils to have access to the school through visits, sporting activities and other functions.

3) To provide support to recent leavers in their early careers.

4) To assist the school and its pupils financially and professionally.

Objectives :

1) To maintain a register of all former pupils.

2) To distribute newsletters to all former pupils.

3) To report Batelians' Association matters in the school magazine.

4) To develop a professional network, through the register, into which Batelians and pupils can tap.

5) To contribute to the Careers Education and Guidance programme of the school.

The Batelians' Association section of the school website is becoming an important channel of communication for us, so watch this space for events, news and comments. We value all our Batelians of whatever age but it is now time to actively promote the Batelians' Association amongst our younger former pupils. The membership subcommittee will have university student representatives as well as experts in IT systems and website design.

Before I finish, let me return to the issue of subscription membership. I don’t want my year of office to simply be the changes mentioned in my first paragraph. I want the spirit of change to continue beyond my year. It is time to look towards a more dynamic Batelians' Association. To do this, we must put the Batelians' Association onto a sounder financial footing. It is in this context that I would like all Batelians to take out subscription membership. Being canny Yorkshire folk, you will probably ask what extra you will get for your money beyond free standard membership. Being a blunt Yorkshireman, I’ll tell you … not a great deal! Everyone will have access to Batelians' Association newsletters and information, school newsletters and information and details of Batelians' Association and school events throughout the year. All these will appear on the Batelians' Association section of the school website. For an additional subscription members will get copies of the school magazine. However, I hope you will feel, like I do, that £10 per year is a small price to pay to support the organisation to which you all belong and which you wish to support. So don’t delay … do it now … contact your Membership Secretary and return your standing order form.

Don’t forget to look at the links to the left (you may be interested in the Merchandise link). If you feel you would like to serve on the committee, or just submit ideas, or help the Batelians' Association in any other way, please contact, in the first instance, David Blamires.

Phil Gott (President 2007/09)