In Nigeria, End-of-Session Party is organised at the conclusion of the 3rd term academic session. An academic calendar year in Nigeria is made of three (3) terms – 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.
This much awaited party defers from the end of year party, thrown towards the ending of December, after the conclusion of school activities for the year.
The End-of-Session Party in schools should demand more than other parties, reason being that significant activities such as: Graduation, Valediction, Certificate Presentation, Awards For Performance, and other notable events will be performed.
KG 2 pupils graduate to Nursery, Nursery 2 graduate to Primary (Basic School), Basic 6 graduate to College (Junior Secondary School), JS3 graduate to Senior Secondary School from where they bid school farewell (Valediction) in preparation for tertiary institution.
As a coordinator or admin, planning requires care and attention to details, as the outlook of the party largely depends on the initial preparation and profound efforts. We find that quality is but an effort of intelligence and skill.
When properly celebrated, the party has a way of showcasing the standard of the school – whether or not the school has the capability, resources, and good teachers to train children excellently for presentation and organisation.
You want this your party to be memorable and make excellent impression of the school ? The following tips should assist:
Hold Management Meeting
Before you start planning and putting things together, call a meeting involving the management. Your meeting agenda should include plans for end-of-session party.
At the meeting, let the management know your plans, Outline the budget and resources and make them fully understand your goals.
The management can also make suggestions. Don’t be too receptive and don’t be too dismissive, because at the end, or during the party, when something goes wrong, they may find a way to backfire it to you. Learn to treat every suggestion with discretion.
Be Mindful Of Rehearsals
You can assign staffs to handle presentations. But when doing this, ensure the assigned staff has the ability to perform in such role. Your understanding of the staffs will go a long way here.
If there are new staffs that you haven’t fully understood, you can hold a survey or question their expertise in the required activity. Notwithstanding, also find a way to learn their strengths and weaknesses – Do this by having them practically demonstrate what they claim to be their strengths.
Inculcate All-round Discipline
Discipline has always been known to produce results. When everyone does what they are expected to do, without bringing negative emotions and prejudice, they are likely to work better.
One way to ensure discipline is by making everyone committed and satisfied where they are. Don’t force or put anyone anywhere, and even if you have to, allow it to be of their choosing. When they are fully interested in what they do, they would want to deliver and bring the best results.
You can also utilise an incentive scheme, where those that perform excellently will be rewarded.
Spend Wisely
Money used to fund the party should be from the party fee. Avoid using school funds to finance the party as this can affect other important school projects.
The party can also be an avenue to increase school funds – the party fee can include a small amount that goes into school funds. In addition, during the party, an item on the order of events can be introduced where parents are motivated by the MC to donate/spray money. These funds can be gathered and added to school. funds.
Beware of Time
If the party is scheduled to begin 9:00am, there would be this ideology that it won’t begin exactly 9:00am but 10:00am or worse 11:00am. Thus, that 9:00am would be time some guests would begin to prepare at home for the party, African Time as it is.
Hence, starting by 9:00am would be a terrible idea, if the African Time is anything to go by. Let the event begin 10:00am but inform them ahead that it is 9:00am.
Although, most times, the presence of the majority of parents can determine the starting time of the event. Follow this trend with discretion.
The above are but a few handy tips on how to go about the party. How it turns out to be depends on how proactive you are and your ability to improvise when faced with unforeseen challenges.
