The PTFA is a group of parents, school staff and friends who give time on a voluntary basis to organise fundraising activities for the school community. The members also act as a point of contact for other parents and carers, who may wish to raise concerns or put forward ideas to help improve the school and its environment.
The primary aim is to use the funds raised to provide ‘extras’ for the school. The parents of the school vote for yearly fundraising priorities and the school gives a ‘wish list’ of items they feel would benefit the children. For example, last year Friends of St Mary’s bought the outdoor tables and benches, amplifier and music equipment and annual book bags for the nursery class.
Cake sales take place on a Friday after school, and are held once a month by a different house team (cake sale rota will be posted here in due course).
One of the highlights of the year is the Christmas Fayre in the school hall. There is always a wonderful festive atmosphere with lots of lights and decorations. Stalls usually include a Santa’s Grotto, Face-painting and various games to play. Refreshments are served.
Another major event in the calendar is the Summer Fayre, which is usually held in July at the school. There are lots of stalls, games, displays, a bouncy castle, a BBQ with other refreshments, and much more! Lots of fun for all the family.
There are lots of other events which you can get involved with. In the past these have included Quiz Nights, barn dance and curry evenings. A great way to meet and get to know other parents.
For the 2015-16 academic year our aim was to raise enough money to take the whole school to the seaside. We raised this money from a range of activities including; £250 from the Christmas fayre and £750 from the Christmas raffle, £60 from cake sales and £485 from the annual school disco and many more events.
We would like to thank everyone for making the seaside trip possible.
In the past the money raised has been used to pay for the outside benches and tables, IT equipment for the classrooms, new books, playground and sports equipment, musical instruments, etc. Each year we provide every child who starts at St Mary’s with a school book bag and school leavers with a dictionary.
For the 2016-17 academic year, Friends of St. Mary’s will be raising funds to contribute towards reading books for the whole school and resources for outdoor spaces including seeds, plants and stones etc.
The Friends of St Mary’s meet once a term, if you would like to come along please speak to Ms Kennedy at the school office for further information. New committee members are always welcome to provide fresh ideas and enthusiasm. New members can join at any time during the year and are welcome at any of the meeting.
If you do not wish to join the committee there are many other ways to get involved ….
Baking a cake
Helping to set up or clear away after an event
Manning a stall
Helping at a disco
Donating a raffle prize
And, of course, by coming along to events to show your support.
Easyfundraising.org.uk – please sign up as it’s free to register and simple to use – you just need an email address and a password. Every time you make a purchase on-line the retailer donates a percentage to our school. It doesn’t cost you anything and is completely safe to use. Over 2,000 well know retailers have signed up to Easyfundraising including Amazon, Next, Argos, M&S and John Lewis.
https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/stmaryscofeprimhack/
