SHIPBOURNE PRIMARY SCHOOL
PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 10 JANUARY 2007
Present
Cathy Farthing, Claire Burrows, Sue Eke, Anita Barton, Tanya Grimes, Margaret Harris, Claudia Johannes, Joanne Fitt
Apologies
Ruth Wadsworth, Rosie Cansdale, Vicky Norman, Karon Bibby, Karen King, Carol Tribe.
1. Approval of Minutes The minutes of the last meeting held on the 9th October 2006 were approved and signed by the Chair
2. Chairman's Report The Chair thanked everyone for all their hard work helping to organise several events since October.
The bonfire night, festive evening, the cake and Christmas pudding sale at the farmers market, and the Christmas activity afternoon, all proved very successful.
Tanya Grimes suggested that the aim now is for the committee to try and bring more people on board to help run forthcoming events to prevent individual overloading.
3. Treasurer's Report (see attached sheet)
The Treasurer issued a report of cash flow. There is approximately £5,000 of available funds, £200 of this is set aside for the additional bird feeder camera, along with £2,500 for the interactive whiteboard, however this is still being investigated and may take some time to finalise and install. The Treasurer advised the committee that £600 is needed to be left as working capital. The Treasurer suggested that £600 be set aside for sports equipment, this was agreed. The Treasurer is to investigate any possible grants that we may be entitled to. It was reported that the Bonfire Night was a great success as profit matched last year. We had more people through the gates, but expenditure was higher. It was acknowledged that the fireworks display needed to be longer. Those responsible are to be sent on a Health and Safety course. Anita Barton suggested that we should consider using professionals to run the display this year, and she will investigate this.
4. Wildlife Garden apologies sent from Ruth Wadsworth. She agreed to write & distribute a newsletter for the bookbags.
5. Matters Arising
a. Weather station Joanne Fitt is to investigate the purchase of a weather station.
b. Sponsonship letters Tanya Grimes reminded the Committee that we still need to approach more sponsors to support us with raffle tickets, prizes etc. Sue Eke agreed to start approaching companies as soon as possible.
c. Teacher / Head wish list Cathy Farthing said investigations to purchasing the interactive white board for the hall are still in progress, and although it is looking a little complicated to install, it is certainly not out of the question. Cathy Farthing said she will keep us informed with updates as and when. Cathy Farthing mentioned that the staff are sorting out the library & ‘store room’ and that further low level shelving would help to enhance the library improvements that were started last year. A PTA donation of £1,000 would aid completion of the project.
6. Forthcoming Events
a Valentines’ Disco Tanya Grimes reported that the Valentines Disco is scheduled for the Friday 9th February 2007. Sue Eke has volunteered to co-ordinate this event.
b Summer Fayre Although no one has come forward to co-ordinate this event, the committee are keen for it to take place again this year, although no date has been fixed as yet. Committee members to discuss this at a later date, but in the meantime will see if any parents are willing to get involved.
c Leavers BBQ Scheduled for Saturday 21st July 2007. Karon Bibby has kindly offered to run this event.
7. AOB
Unfortunately we were not successful in the Cash for Schools Competition Scheme run by the Courier. Thank you to all those that worked hard filling in slips, but it was agreed that more effort needed to be made in order to succeed in future.
The committee requested confirmation that new parents had received the latest PTA handbook. Cathy Farthing advised the committee that Irene Young had updated the prospectus with the new handbook included.
It was suggested that when a new pupil starts, the PTA be informed so that we are able to introduce ourselves in person.
Claudia Johannes agreed to speak to Jill Kaye about approaching new parents regarding the 100 Club.
Tanya Grimes asked if Kelly Holmes had rescheduled her visit to open the wall bars. Cathy Farthing reported that this visit had not yet been rescheduled but that it would be in due course.
Sue Eke confirmed that she was happy to continue running the Cake Stall on Thursday afternoons, but it was suggested that a stand-by be recruited.
After the success of the Christmas ‘activity afternoon’, Tanya Grimes suggested that we ran 2 or 3 after school PTA activity clubs in 2007, perhaps seasonal. Parents are needed to run these events. It was agreed that we would run an ‘Easter’ activity club and decide on a summer one later.
Tanya Grimes commented that we needed to make more effort to sell the second-hand uniform we have. It is suggested that maybe twice a year we set up rails in the hall, and display the uniform properly for parents to view. A parent is needed to run this; Claire Burrows to ask.
Tanya Grimes reported that she had been advised of a forthcoming NCPTA training event to take place on 10th March 2007, she has 4 free tickets. It was agreed that Tanya Grimes, Anita Barton and Sue Eke attend.
11. Date of Next Meeting Wednesday 18th April at 7.30pm
Meeting ended at 9pm