Club Torridon Disco 2024

Thursday, 12th December

★   Special thanks   ★ 

Emma Cassidy, Event Coordinator

Ozi Arabaji & Tony Culverwell, DJs

Elle Benton, Photos and Décor

Teresa Dybeck, Hall Coordinator

Katy Irvine-Moon & Siobhan Scantlebury, Parents' Café

Kirsty Jenkins, Popcorn & Candyfloss

PTA & Torridon staff volunteers

4:00 - 6:30

Parents' Café in Year 3 Hall

Disco FAQ

How much does the disco cost, and does my child need a ticket? 

We recommend a payment of £2.50 per child. This helps to offset the cost of the disco (nearly £2 per child) and other PTA events. We're raising funds for the £36k Digital Learning Campaign, and we earmark 10% of all of our net proceeds to support vulnerable families. We hope you'll give generously if you can, but we'll never deny entry to a child because of lack of payment.

You can pay for your child's entry to the disco via ParentPay. Paying in advance helps us to plan for a successful event, but we can also take cash and card payments on the gate. We don't issue physical tickets. 

Can I stay at the disco with my child? 

No, the disco halls are open to children only. Grownups are welcome to wait in the Parents' Café. If you want to catch a glimpse of your child on the dance floor, please consider volunteering at the event.

What is the Parents' Café? 

Don't fancy a cold and dark walk home after you've dropped your child off for their disco, only to repeat the journey an hour later? Grab a seat and stay warm with us in the Year 3 Hall! Our talented team of volunteer bakers will offer festive treats and hot drinks (including mulled wine!) to purchase by cash or card. Children who are waiting for their siblings' disco session to finish are welcome in the Parents' Café under their grownups' supervision. 

Are refreshments available at the disco?

We offer a packet of salted crisps to every child on entry, and unlimited squash and water is available throughout the event. Children in Years 3 through 6 have the option to purchase extra treats from the tuck shop, priced at 50p each and available for cash only. 

Can children wear their own clothes to school that day? 

No. Children should wear their normal uniform to school but are encouraged to change into their glad rags for the disco. 

What should children bring to the disco?

We hope they'll bring their smiling faces and readiness to cut loose on the dance floor! They don't need water bottles as we'll provide reusable cups for squash and water. Children in Years 3-6 who wish to buy treats from the tuck shop should bring some cash. Children with noise sensitivities may wish to bring ear defenders. 

My child doesn't like loud music or flashing lights. Is the disco suitable for them? 

Most children love the club vibes in the halls, but some do find it all a bit overwhelming. We designate a room off of each hall as the Chill Out Space equipped with ear defenders, sensory toys, and gentle lighting. We'll closely monitor these spaces to ensure they remain as calming as possible, and we'll brief volunteers and staff to look out for children who may need a quiet moment away from the disco. Encourage your child to ask a grownup to take them to the Chill Out Space if they need a break. Children may also bring their own ear defenders if they have them. We'll be monitoring decibel levels in the halls this year to keep the volume at a safe level.

Do children go straight to the disco after school?

No. Children should be collected from school at 3:15 as normal and return for the start of their session. 

How do I drop my child off for the disco?

Gates into both playgrounds will be open for 15 minutes at the start of each session: 3:55-4:10 for the first session and 5:25-5:40 for the second. Children who arrive after this time may enter through the school office. School staff will be on hand to mark children on the register. Once they're checked in, children can make their own way to their hall, or their grownups can escort them. It's helpful if you can hold onto your child's coat and other belongings. Grownups should leave the hall as quickly as possible unless they've signed up to volunteer. We hope you'll make use of the Parents' Café in the Year 3 Hall while you wait for your child's session to finish. 

How do I collect my child from the disco? 

Gates into both playgrounds will open at the end of each session: 5:00 for the first and 6:30 for the second. Make your way to your child's disco hall, where children will be assembled in their class groups. School staff will dismiss the children as grownups queue through the halls in a one-way system. 

My Year 6 child normally leaves school alone. Can they leave the disco on their own? 

No, all children must be collected by a responsible adult. 

How can I help with the disco? 

On the day of the disco we need lots of help dressing the halls, manning the gates, supervising activities, serving refreshments, monitoring the Chill Out Space and exits, running the KS2 tuck shop and Parents' Café, and clearing up. If you can give an hour or 2 of your time to make the disco possible, please sign up here. We promise, you won't be disappointed! 

In the runup to the disco we need help sourcing and making decorations, purchasing refreshments and items to sell in the tuck shop, and baking treats for the Parents' Café. We'd also like to borrow items for the Chill Out Space: galaxy lights, sensory toys, beanbags or comfy floor cushions. If you can help, please email friendsoftorridonpta@gmail.com or join our Winter Disco WhatsApp group.

I'd like to volunteer at the disco, but I have childcare responsibilities. What can I do? 

We get it - we're all in the same boat! If you're helping with set up, your children can stay at school under your supervision. Collect them at 3:15 as normal and enlist their help with set up; they'll love it! Pack a snack for them along with their disco clothes and find a quiet moment to nip to the toilets to help them change. After the disco, your children may likewise remain with you during clean up. 

Children are only allowed in the disco halls during their year group's session. It wouldn't be appropriate to bring a younger child or baby along to your volunteer shift, as the halls can be quite noisy, and volunteering will require your full attention. We'd suggest teaming up with another Torridon family; offering to watch someone's child to free up their time to help at the disco is a really valuable way to contribute to the event.