PTA Update

It is time for the end of term – we can tell that simply from the fact that the weather has turned from beautiful sunshine to intermittent rain! Just in time for the school holidays as always. It is also time for us to reflect on another year of fundraising for the wonderful school that we all treasure so much. I am delighted to inform you that thanks to all your amazing support, we have raised an incredible £16,590 this year. This has largely come from the school fairs and the raffles but has been significantly topped up by our more regular events such as cakey Fridays, movie nights, bingo night, and the sale of preloved uniforms.

Another great fundraiser this year, which was new to our list of events, was our Love and Kindness disco and of course the old favourite quiz night. Thank you so much for all of your ongoing support of these events.

As a committee, we do focus our efforts on fundraising but it is also very important to us that we try and help nurture the wonderful sense of community that is ever present in the school and this is reflected by the number of parents we have had helping at and attending the events over the course of the year – we couldn’t do it without you, thank you.

When our treasurer sent through outgoings in a spreadsheet, I felt very proud of the list of things we have been able to provide for the children over the course of the year, and I wanted to share some of the highlights with you. The funds raised this year have been used to

• Provide each child with a wrapped book from Father Christmas.
• Replace the rugs they all sit on in the classrooms.
• Take all children in Year 1 and Year 2 to the local theatre for the Christmas show/pantomime.
• Pay for party food for each class Christmas party.
• Provide the children with memorabilia bookmarks and keyrings for landmark celebrations during the
  year.
• Pay for the Open Box theatre company and the assault course bouncy castle used at Enrichment Week.
• Replace broken gazebos which get used at the fairs, sports day, and leavers’ ceremony.
• Pay for the Year 2 leavers’ disco celebration.
• Buy new SEN resources and books.

Mrs Carter and her team also have big plans to spend money we have raised in the summer to enhance the school environment. This includes the Year 1 area with the construction of a creation station; improving the Year Foundation teamwork terrace (replacing the play shed and providing a sand and water play area); and providing resources for the fabulous new outdoor classroom that has replaced the cakey Friday shelter.

I need to say huge thanks to the committee who respond politely and helpfully to my bombardment of messages and work tirelessly to make these events come together: Kerrie Cox, Jen Walters, Lesley Simmons, Kasia Smalley, Toko Robbins; and to Emma Baxter who is stepping down from the committee this year but to whom we owe great thanks for her help this year. We are also very grateful to have so much
support from the school, from Mrs Carter and Mrs Wilson (our PTA link teacher), everyone in the office, and of course, Tom who helps us set up and clear up after all the events.

If you would like to be a little more involved with any of this next year, or if you would like to know a bit more about what we do, please visit our website www.courthillpta.co.uk or email us courthillpta@gmail.com.

We look forward to seeing you next term.

Sally Simpson, PTA Chair