Our Parents’ Association

What is the PTA all about?

It is a group of parents and school representatives who volunteer to raise funds to help subsidise school trips and buy additional school resources.  We also organise social events for pupils and parents to enhance the school experience.

The PTA is a registered charity.

We meet once a term (normally just after school drop off), for about 1 hour to plan events and manage the running of the PTA. There are additional adhoc meetings to organise specific events as required.

We aim to have a parent representative from each year group so that your child’s interests are represented.

There are three key posts which require a bit more work behind the scenes to direct and lead the group.  They are: Chairperson, Treasurer and Secretary.

Chair provides direction to the team, organising meetings, ensuring events are organised and planned with the support of the team.  Ensure the PTA page on the school website is updated and refreshed.

Treasurer ensures accounts are up to date, money is banked and generally keep finances in order.  They submit the annual accounts to the Inland Revenue.

Secretary takes and issues minutes of meetings.  They ensure the Charity is registered with the Charity Commission and Trustees of the charity are registered.

The Roles of Chair and Secretary will become vacant in September 2020 so now is an ideal time to get involved and see if either of these positions would be of interest to you.

If you are interested in supporting the school in any way but don’t know how, please email your contact details to stteresaspta@yahoo.com or leave them with school Reception on 0115 915 5762 or speak to one of the PTA team.

“This is what we are about: We plant the seeds that one day will grow. We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise.” Archbishop Oscar Romero

Why should I join?

• Meet new parents, it’s a great way to increase your network of support.
• By getting to know other people with children in other year groups we have found ways to help each other out outside of school related matters.
• Enjoy knowing you are supporting the school and your child’s education.
• Love seeing the excitement on your child’s face when they are looking forward to a school trip or return from one.
• Relief when the cost of a school trip is less than you would have expected, knowing that the PTA’s fundraising has resulted in lower costs.
• The cost of a coach hire is over £400.  Without the PTA subsidies in 2017- 2018 that would be at least another £10 per child each year for school trips.
• Year 6 wouldn’t be able to enjoy a free end of year celebratory outing.
• Trips to London in years 5&6 would cost a lot more than £20 per child.
• In 2017 -2018 PTA fundraising was able to donate in excess of £5,000 to the school (over £4,000 just on coach costs).
• Children enjoy knowing that their parents are helping at the school.
• The mix of ideas from different people ensures the interests of children across all year groups are represented.
• If you think an event could be improved or introduced, this is a way for your voice to be heard.
• Take the opportunity to develop new skills or hone existing ones in a friendly environment with the support of others.
• Funding to schools is constantly being cut and the school endeavours to provide the best education for our children.  Working as a team brings fantastic results.
• More volunteers = more ideas = more fun for everyone.

How can I help? I don’t have time

• Attend PTA meetings only when it fits in with any “free” time you have.  Pre-school children can come if you can’t get childcare – just bring them a snack, book or toy to keep them occupied.
• Help out on an ad hoc basis – some people only help out once a year at the Summer Fair.  If you can help out for the whole event, brilliant, some can only help for one hour. (We always need face painters for the summer fair).
• Donate cakes for events – they don’t have to be home made.
• If you enjoy making craft items at home, donate them for sale at the Christmas & Summer Fair.
• Serve children with refreshments at our after school film nights and on Sports Day.
• Meet other parents, help us for an hour or two at the Mother’s and Father’s Day events.
• Email us fundraising ideas if you work full time and can’t attend meetings in person.
• Ongoing support for all our school events through attendance and purchasing raffle tickets, items for sale, refreshments etc.
• You don’t have time? Encourage an aunty, uncle, grandparent or older sibling (over 16) to come along and help at one of our events.
• Use your contacts to donate raffle prizes for our Annual School Fundraising Raffle or Summer Fair eg days out, pamper sessions, gardening services, vouchers, holidays, electronic equipment, anything!

School Lottery Tickets

School lottery tickets – buy yours here. Lottery draw every Saturday evening.

Tickets cost just £1 with a guaranteed local winner every week!

40% of every ticket purchased goes towards our school.

More detail can be found HERE

PTA meetings & Coffee mornings

“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” Peter 4:10