Minutes of Last Meeting - 11.10.2006
Present
Peter Robson, Nick Skeet, Neil Bolton, Amanda Fitzgerald, Pauline Reed, Pat Evans, Jacqui Sinclair, Mrs Giles, Letitia Bradley-Proulx
Apologies
Martin Edmundson, Julie Duddy, Veronique Needham, Lis Skeet, Jane Paulton, Teresa Lynch.
Matters arising from Previous Minutes
None.
Chairman's Report
Peter started his report by thanking everyone who had made the AGM, Annual review and the Quiz night such a highly successful event. Everyone who attended felt it went well and that it was a really enjoyable evening.
Peter also thanked Fiona Moore, who has decided to step down from helping run the uniform shop, for all of the work she done in supporting Lena and others these past years. Neil told us that the PTFA are investigating the options available to try to lighten the load for those running the shop. Some of these options are:
- The possibility of parents going directly to Michael Hope in Box to order through him, he would then give a commission to the school.
- Use the company Stronghold who will deliver to the parents directly.
The various issues concerned with the importance of the quality of the knitwear were raised. We also felt that the presence of the uniform shop could be advertised more widely, Jacqui volunteered to help Lena in future with its running.
Peter then went on to say that this school year is of course the 40th anniversary year and it will be a busy one both in terms of fund-raising and various events to be organised both by the PTFA and the school, and we are all hoping for the continuing support from the parent body. There is no fund-raising target set, but we will need to raise a minimum of £5,000 and we are still £2000 short for the contribution of providing the amount that the PTFA pledged for the building works.
Headmaster's Report
Mrs Giles presented the Headmasters report and started by thanking everyone involved in organising the AGM and how the staff who took part in the Quiz Night were still feeling a little sore at only achieving third place! She also wanted to thank everyone on behalf of the children and the staff for the outdoor classroom. All the children are very excited about it. There is still some work to be done on the flooring aspect of it and Mr Loftus has, as promised, investigated some of the options available. There are specialist playground coverings available but these are very expensive and there isn’t any money left in the school budget after the building works have been paid for. Some other options are: grass,(but mud could be a problem), wood chip, (but it has a tendency to spread everywhere) and decking, but this too is expensive. The other options are that maybe we can seek sponsorship to help cover the costs and/or there is someone in the parent body who can help. Mrs Giles said that she would ask the staff to let the PTFA know how the various classes plan to use it so a piece can be written for the PTFA website, so that the parents can appreciate just what an asset it is.
Mrs Giles also wanted to give the following dates for our diaries.
- KS1 Nativity play will be the 20th December at 1pm.
- KS2 Traditional Carol Service will be held the same day at 7pm.
The PTFA will serve mince pies and Mulled wine at the Carol Service and a hamper raffle will be held, to help raise funds to boost the Building Blocks fund.
The Treasurer’s Report
Neil presented his report and explained to us that the annual audit had not yet begun but was due to go across this week. He also pointed out that a retention amount was usually held back with large building works and this should give us time to raise the additional funds, needed, with of course the generosity of the parent body and the wider community. Mrs Giles also pointed out that this year the school has agreed to put all the money raised from the class teas into a pot to be shared equally amongst the classes with half being given to the PTFA to help towards the Building Blocks fund.
The sponsored run was very successful earlier this year and if the 90 kids who took part could raise £1,500, it is wondered what the whole school could raise?
Another point that raised was, why we hadn’t had an entrance charge for the fabulous production of Jack and the Beanstalk, as the parents who attended wouldn’t have minded paying, knowing that the money was going to the school. This raised the issue that whilst we could charge for future events it would have to be a voluntary contribution.
Events Update
The plaque should be ready for the handing over of the outdoor classroom, the press have been invited to attend.
It was agreed that we would help support the school’s healthy eating campaign at the Autumn disco, Neil will try to get better snacks from Cosco such as fruit snacks, and good quality, high fruit content juice. We will serve burgers again from the butchers on the high street, and My Loaf have agreed to make pizza for us. (One large tray, and 75 burgers).
Ceildh
Jacqui has agreed to lead on this family event and through a contact of Mrs Hunt’s we have the band Lucky 7 booked.
Mrs Giles agreed to ask the school if the children could help with the decorations along a Scottish Irish Theme. She told us how she is hoping to continue this theme with the food, at first it was hoped we could make the event a potlatch (potluck) kind of supper were everyone brings something, this would help keep the cost of the ticket down, but after a long discussion it was decided that it would be better to cover the cost of food in the ticket price which was then set at £4 for adults, £2 for children (for the first two children) and £1 per child thereafter. As this night coincides with the children in need appeal it was agreed we should put some Pudsey bear buckets around the hall. Pat Evans has kindly agreed to help with the calling of the dances and together with Mr Macachessi, provide more live music when the band is having its breaks.
The nearly new clothes sale
Pauline gave us a run down on how the clothes sale went. It was a great success in terms of money raised but she felt disappointed with the number of buyers who attended especially as the quality of the goods being sold was so high. It was however held at fairly short notice and there had not been enough time to publicise it as well as we had hoped.
Peter thanked Pauline and the team that supported her for doing this event and everyone commented on how professional it was and how great the hall looked.
Pauline hoped to hold another sale soon, which lead on to the discussion about whether we can run a Christmas Bazaar this year. We found a solution whereby it is hoped that the staff would lead their classes in helping to organise the various stalls, advertising etc. and that we could tie this in with the nearly new sale, so that there would be something for everybody but the huge amount of work involved was shared out. Nick Skeet and Neil Bolton would work together to share the lead.
St. Patrick’s Night 2007
The town hall has already been booked for this event and a license applied for, we had a discussion of the different events that might be held but everyone agreed that the race night last year was such good fun that we could hold another one there and make it an even more memorable evening. Neil agreed to lead on this event.
40th Anniversary Celebrations
The school has given the committee a template of events that fit into the 6 terms this year. Some of them are purely school events and some will be PTFA run. These include:
- Mugs - The PTFA to provide every pupil and staff member with a high quality souvenir mug of the event. (Nick will source these).
- Party - This will be in March (16th) instead of the usual disco.
- Open day - In May with Pimms and Juice etc.
- Banner - Although the school has a beautiful Banner which is on display in Mr Loftus’ office, he would dearly like another special one made for this 40th year, the school is looking for people with sewing skills to help with this.
- Ball - The feasibility of this is being considered.
The school hopes that the parents will enjoy celebrating this special year and lend their support.
AOB
Pauline offered to write up a template for the nearly new sale and Rob Reed has kindly agreed to do a special 40th anniversary logo for us.
Date of next meeting
Next meeting: Nov. 21st at 7:30pm, venue TBA.