It's the height of fete season, and many secondary schools are getting in on the action, capitalising on people's love of a good party to add a new event to their repertoire of fund-raising tools.
Some schools have been hosting Carnival fetes for a long time�in Bishop Anstey's case, this was their 19th year–while others are new to the scene. From QRC's Fete Royal ($750) to St Mary's Fete with the Saints ($850) to Trinity College's Soka in Moka XVI ($750), to Presentation College Chaguanas's Evolve ($650), the price tags vary; but they are all in the hundreds, perhaps following the example of UWI, the pioneer in fund-raising fetes, whose party has increased in price by 125 per cent since it first began.
According to Victor Cowan, secretary of the UWI Development and Endowment Fund, the first UWI fete was held in 1991 at the price of $100; this year, almost 25 years later, it's risen to $1,250.
Some schools, too, are also starting to increase prices–though none have crossed the $1,000 high point yet. What do the students of the schools receive, in return for such party prices? The T&T Guardian asked several representatives from different schools.
'Evolve'
Presentation College, Chaguanas
For Presentation College, Chaguanas, their Carnival all-inclusive fete called Evolve, held on January 17, was only the second time they've held an event like this, said Deepak Lall, president of the Alumni Association of Presentation College, Chaguanas.
Evolve tickets cost $650 this year (up from $500 last year), offering unlimited premium drinks, food, entertainment including Kerwin Du Bois, Destra Garcia, Ravi B, Olatunji and DJ Private Ryan, and a safe, secure place to party.
"All profits go towards the College," said Lall.
Last year, he said, the profit from Evolve 2014 was in the region of $20,000; the fete, being the first, was really about building the Evolve brand, he said.
Every year, all accounts of the association are audited to ensure good accountability, said Lall, with decisions on projects made by the association in collaboration with recommendations of the principal and school staff.
Lall said last year, among other projects, the association spent money on a $20,000 library donation; $7,850 for pressure washing, priming and painting of savannah walls; a $13,140 installation of two speed bumps at the college's entrance, and $4,650 to sponsor a student to attend the Sir Garfield Sobers Tournament in Barbados. But these funds were from several sources, not just from their first Carnival fete income.
"Keep in mind that through the alumni network, we add value through in-kind donations such as building materials, services, and so on, the value of such donations exceeded $160,000 last year," he said.
"Any profits from this year's Evolve fete would most likely go towards school repairs after a recent fire: "There was a fire at our college two days after our event.
We anticipate that funds from the fete will be used to return the college to normalcy. Prior to this incident, it was our original plan that funds would be used mainly for the planning of our International Sports Centre. We have already made a 50 per cent down-payment for Phase 1 to a foreign consultant who will be mobilising their team to Trinidad in early February," said Lall.
'Feteing Tigers'
St Anthony's College, Diego Martin
St Anthony's Carnival fete this year is called Feting Tigers and cost $600 a ticket. It will be on February 8, at the college's grounds, Morne Coco Road, Diego Martin. It's their fifth annual Carnival fete.
Nigel "Grovy" Grosvenor is St Anthony College's football coach, a teacher, and a senior dean at St Anthony's, where he has worked for the last 32 years. Grosvenor said the Feting Tigers party is unique because, apart from the usual attractions�good food, drinks, good music, and a mature crowd�the fete environment is "fantastic" and super-safe:
"You are partying on our open grounds surrounded by the beautiful Diego Martin hillside. We are never overcrowded because we open out the field to suit the crowd. What I like a lot is that while you are enjoying yourself in the party, you are seeing your car. The cars are parked on the grounds. Everything is on the compound. You are safe, your car is safe.
"St Anthony's College is a government-assisted school, which means they only give us minimal funds. We have to find the rest of the funds to run the school, and with a boys' school, things have to be repaired constantly," said Grosvenor.
He pointed out that compared to other school fetes, their price of $600 is "one of the cheapest all-inclusive fetes around. Now with this price, you get the same as the other all-inclusives. You can sit down in a restaurant-like setting in our decorated gymnasium to eat everything –because we have everything. Then come outside and party."
Grosvenor says that for the first few years when St Anthony's held Carnival fetes, they made absolutely no profits: "We did not make money and didn't expect to; however, those present enjoyed themselves. The party continued to improve. Last year was our first financial success. The little money made helped in school repairs, including repair of the toilet facilities."
'Fete with the Saints'
St Mary's College, Port-of-Spain
St Mary's College is an old hand at Carnival parties: this year will make it their 13th or 14th year, said an organiser. Held last Saturday at CIC grounds, Serpentine Road, St Mary's runs one of the more expensive school fetes at $850 a ticket.
It claims it runs the best school fete in terms of food, music, and comfort.
For patrons, Fete with the Saints this year bought an exclusive party experience, with a professionally lit stage and music by Machel Montano, Roy Cape, Kerwyn Dubois, Olatunji, Benjai, and the Woodbrook Playboyz Steel Orchestra. And, of course, lots of great food and drink.
"Government grants are often slow to come, so like a lot of schools, we cannot wait on that, and the fete helps to raise funds," said one member of the St Mary's Past Students Union at the school last week.
"All the profits from all our events go to the school," said Nestor Lambert last Friday, as he busily checked the Serpentine Road CIC grounds for the fete the next day. Lambert explained that the St Mary's alumni organisers would decide with the principal what projects to pursue.
"The last project that we just completed was the air conditioning of the Centenary Hall," he said. "We raised money for that from different events. Not all of the money from last year's Fete with the Saints went to the air conditioning;we had some money put aside. But we do projects such as set up computer labs; the school had one, and we set up a second one, to increase the number of boys with access to computer studies. We did that about two years ago, but the projects roll one into the other."
"If you go out there," he said, indicating the car park right outside the grounds, "...you'll see a school bus. The Past Students Union provided two-thirds of the cost of that. Republic Bank helped us with one third of the cost. A couple years ago, we set up a language lab. We've contributed to teacher development programmes. The list goes on," he said.
"One of the next projects identified by the principal is to refurbish the Physics lab, which has not been touched for 40 years or so. It needs to be done." That's where some of this year's fete profits will go, he confirmed.
Lambert noted that organising a Carnival fete entails a lot of work. "And the fact is, the economy is such that the Government just does not have the money that the schools need; so every school does fundraising: from primary school, to secondary school, to UWI."
With school fetes now a fixture, it seems more schools are learning, with each passing year, how to better package the partying experience for a profit.
Fete Royal
QRC, Port-of-Spain
Took place on January 10.
Tickets cost $750 (97 per cent sold) and featured Kes The Band and The Asylum Band.
This is the second year for Fete Royal (there was a fete called Outta the Blue which ended in 2012) and some projects the funds have financed include revamping of the QRC computer lab to the tune of $300,000. They also assisted Rainbow Rescue, Maraval which is a home for boys that QRC has "adopted." They are also assisting Grand Riviere AC to refurbish their library.
Upcoming projects include the development of a QRC Old Boys database and putting money towards the school's fund for paying substitute teachers. Kenrick Harrinauth of the QRC Old Boys also told the T&T Guardian that funds will be used to bolster the school's proud sporting legacy with the launch of the Olympic legacy funds to assist students who are representing T&T in the field of athletics. QRC has produced Olympians like Marc Burns, Richard Thompson and Jehue Gordon.
Prestige
Presentation College, San Fernando
Took place on January 25.
Tickets cost $850 (sold out) and featured and featured Pres Old Boys Machel Montano and Kees Dieffenthaller among the entertainers.
This is the fifth year for Prestige and funds raised from the party have gone towards air conditioning the school and installing a complete CCTV system.
Soca On De Hill
Holy Cross College, Calvary Hill, Arima
Takes place on January 30.
Tickets cost $700 (tickets still available)
Although the fete is called the Soca Six, this is the fifth year this fete is taking place. The headline act is Machel Montano and Roy Cape All Stars will also be on the bill. The organisers told the T&T Guardian that a park and ride shuttle system is in place for fete patrons.
Funds raised from the party has facilitated the refurbishment of the audio-visual room and upgrading the electrical system. This year, the goal is to purchase a 25-seater bus for the school.
For tickets call 678-8117, 686 9339 or the College at 667-3638.
Dancing Under The Chandeliers
Fatima College, Mucurapo Road,St James
Takes place on February 7.
Tickets $950 (Tickets sold out)
2015 marks the 12th year that Fatima will be holding an all-inclusive fete. The party is promoted by FOBA, the Fatima Old Boys Association and features Machel Montano, Dil E Nadan and Roy Cape All Stars
Association president Dwight Andrews told the T&T Guardian that it is the main driver of funds for the school's capital projects.
Some of the major projects in recent years include building a new wing at a cost of $4 million, refurbished the library, refurbished the pavillion at Fatima grounds including a new gym and air conditioned dressing rooms.
The Fatima Old Boys are also enabling other schools in their fund raising ventures, they are holding a joint cruise with their "sister schools" Holy Name Convent and St Francois Girls College on February 11.
OTHER SCHOOL FETES
Soka in Moka
Trinity College, Maraval
Known as the all-inclusive fete to open the Carnival season, it took place on January 4.
Tickets cost $750 (98% sold) and featured Dil E Nadan, Roy Cape All Stars and Bunji, Fay Ann and the Asylum Band.
Some of the projects this fete has financed include a complete security system, a new PA sysyem, monthly landscaping of the grounds and refurbishment of the Sixth form and staff area.