Tuesday 11 October 2016




Tuesday, 11th October 2016


St John’s PTFA Chairman’s Report

I am delighted to present the report as Chair of the PTFA for St John’s.  Once again we have had a very successful year in terms of money raised, well attended events. Three years ago the PTFA set the objective to increase each year the involvement of the parents, carers and community supporting the PTFA and this year we are proud to announce we have had a record breaking number of parent and carer volunteers as well as a the highest external community support and sponsorship we have ever achieved. We even managed to find a way to fundraise without asking parents to do anything extra just shop online through Easyfundraising which has raised thousands of pounds. All of this is a testament of the dedication of the each and every member of the PTFA.

It was also the mission of enhance the community, provide support benefits all of the children, provides a legacy and diversification. We feel that this year we have been able to deliver that in spades. We were able to build on the community spirit by supporting the Christmas Fair with a range of stalls and live reindeer as well as achieving PR for the school. In February we invited all of the parents and children to show their love to our amazing teachers with a Teacher Appreciation Day. In March we held a fantastically fun and well attended Quiz Night and ending the year with our highest attended Summer Fair - in spite of the rain!  We have been able to support the ITC, Literacy, World Book Day Workshops and Maths programmes and improve the library that the PTFA began in 2011 with the Junior Librarian Programme.  The Junior Librarian Programme not only monitors stock it will create an engaging library for students, staff and parents by being able to track reading trends, make recommendations, link ITC and literacy, promote a love of reading and so much more.

We have been delighted to be able to donate an amazing total of over £18,000 to the school during 2015/16.  The donations have been based on the requests from Ms Wightwick and her Senior Leadership Team which included:

Book Corners for KS2                           £1,027.23
Library Equipment                               £   285.50
KS1 Maths Programme                       £3,000.00
Maths Equipment                                £3,000.00
iPads                                                     £5,000.00
Mini Librarian Programme
& Year 1 Subscription                          £1,500.00
Two Additional Bluetooth Scanners  £   245.00
Mini Librarian Subscription Year 2      £   610.00
Library Books                                        £   405.00
Book Covers                                         £   200.00
Christmas Fair Entertainment              £  450.00
World Book Day Workshops for
November 2016                                   £1,500.00

My experience as Chair of The Friends of St John’s PTFA has been a privilege. The last year has been a challenge and without the friendship, advice, support and inspiration I have received from parents I could have never made it through the past year.

It is important that we continue to build increasing our parent support for our activities and events. In the last year we welcomed several new members to the committee which was fantastic and helped lighten the load and brought new ideas to our fundraising. Thank you to Sihem, Anezina, Claudine, Caroline, Rebecca, Lucy and Zanni for your tireless commitment and inspiration. In the last year have have worked on communicating clearly and regularly with parents in the newsletter and through the parent reps. We couldn’t have done it without the amazing support of our Class Representatives who are the heartbeat of the PTFA.  Thank you to each and every one of you.

A huge thank you to all the parents who donated time to be a parent reader and help look after the library, your dedication and efforts were immensely appreciated and enable us to inspire the hearts and minds of our children which is priceless.

Every year the PTFA relies heavily on a core group of volunteers – you know who you are!  Thank you for your humour, dedication on making our fundraising activities not only a success but fun to plan. I know that each of you has a busy life with a million other things to do so it makes me all the more thankful for your constant support.

And of course, we’d like to thank the school’s leadership team, governors and staff for their continued support, giving us a hand at different events, getting involved and allowing us to use the school premises and facilities for our meetings and fundraising efforts. Our shared commitment has helped make our efforts a success.

The PTFA has really excelled in producing excellent results in regard to fundraising, showing dedication, passion and an endless sense of humour.  Every single member has made a contribution which has positively impacted our results. Each and every one deserves recognition and thanks.  Thank you for your creativity, determination, patience and a sense of fun.

I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate the new committee and am sure that they will continue to build on the successes in the coming year and we wish them Godspeed.

Thanks so much,
Lynette Cowen,
Friends of St John’s Chair

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PTFA Financial Statement:  September 2015 – October 2016

Balance August 2015                                                               £14,786.11

Income                                                                                    £9,284.49
Quiz Night                                                                                £1,112.49
Easyfundraising Payments (estimated)                                £1,221.00
Bake Sales                                                                               £1,828.08
Mobile Phone Fundraiser                                                       £   750.00
Summer Fair                                                                             £4,000.00

Expenditure                                                                             £17,952.50
Book Corners for KS2                                                               £1,254.34
KS2 Maths Programme                                                           £3,000.00
Maths Equipment                                                                    £3,000.00
iPads                                                                                         £5,000.00
Mini Librarian Programme
& Year 1 Subscription                                                              £1,496.00
Two Additional Bluetooth Scanners                                       £  245.00
Mini Librarian Subscription Year 2                                           £  610.00
Library Books                                                                             £  404.83
Christmas Fair Entertainment                                                  £  427.23
Bake Sale & Coffee Flask                                                         £  219.54
PTFA Costs & Insurance                                                            £  260.77
Teacher Appreciation Day                                                      £    19.79
World Book Day Workshops for Nov 16                                   £1,500.00
Library Equipment (Covers & Shelving)                                   £   386.50
Mobile Phone Competition Prizes                                            £   128.50


Balance October 2016                                                            £5,918.10




Thursday 29 September 2016

New library system has arrived and we need volunteers!


We are so  excited that the new Junior Librarian System has arrived!  After three years of the PTFA building the library resource we are pleased to have purchased a computer based system that does so much!

An engaging technology that promotes literacy and reading. It helps promote reading by helping the children select books.  To set up the system we need to scan the ISDN barcodes on the books which will provide a catalogue of all of the books in the library that will enable to children to check out books that are logged.

The Junior Librarian is able to do so much more once we get it up and running including:

  • Create an engaging online library for pupils, staff and parents
  • Track reading progress and trends across the whole school
  • Provide an  integrated eBook library
  • Embed the library into the teaching of ITC and literacy
  • Engage with parents using the fantastic app
  • Provide an asset register for the books 
  • Provide recommendations for what to read next
  • Provide information about the authors
  • Read reviews written by other children
  • Children can write reviews about the books they are reading
  • Helps foster independence and children can scan and check out their books.
  • Plus so much more...
For more information visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWPOAG2Oc_g




Can you help us organise the library?  If so get in contact by emailing lynettecowen@hotmail.co.uk

Thanks!

Friday 4 March 2016

So what is Easy Fundraising?

Do you ever wish you could help the school but not have to do anything?

As a mum of two children at the school I can honestly say I have had this thought many times!  Life is hectic and there always seems to be a million things to do.  The PTFA always wish for a way we could raise money for the school without having to ask parents to bake or donating time and money.

We have found the perfect solution called Easy Fundraising (www.easyfundraising.org.uk).  It is a website that has got over 3,000 retailers to agree to donate to a charities and schools when people shop online. All you need to do is use the link which is listed as Friends of St John’s Primary School – Walham Green and can be found by clicking www.easyfundraising.org.uk/fostjohnswg

It doesn't cost you a penny and they won't use your details for anything else.  In fact if you sign up they send you special offers to save on your shopping, electrical bills, holidays and weekly food bill. There are nearly 3,000 retailers like Amazon, John Lewis, Argos, Asda, Sainsbury’s.

Still wondering how it works?  Here is an example:

Let’s say you would like to buy a pair of shoes from John Lewis, instead of going to johnlewis.com directly to the St John’s easyfundraising link above and type in John Lewis in the search box. (The code fostjohnswg is the code that identifies St John’s Primary). Alternatively you can download the easy donation reminder which provides a little reminder every time you shop online.


Make a Purchase: from John Lewis as normal the price is exactly the same but the retailer will know you have come via our link on easyfundraising.


Get a donation: After you make your purchase, John Lewis will donate a percentage of the total spend as a donation to the school with no extra cost to you.  

What are you waiting for?  Sign up today to raise money for St John’s – it is a great way to raise money for our school and you don't have to bake or leave your sofa!





Need more information?  Email us at ptfaforstjohnsprimary@gmail.com