AGENDA:

Introduction
Financial Updates and Expenditure Plans
Promoting involvement
Events

1. Introduction of the new PTA committee.

Alan Millington spoke, happy to see such a big turnout and apologized for the lack of staff representatives, however Jo Lynch was present and she was introduced as ICT co-ordinator, Science Co-ordinator, Key Stage 2 Leader,and also a Year 6 teacher.

Apologies as no minutes available from the last AGNM meeting in September due to staff handover, however we will try and get them together as soon as we can.

2. Financial Update from Sid Smith Co-Treasurer.

Situation similar to AGM, we have a healthy account with some expenditure going towards the annual school trip. Suggested a meeting to discuss plan for spending and any ideas welcome on how to spend the PTA funds. Sid is available to speak to any parents re the accounts.

We discussed how are we going to spend the funds and we are looking for ideas. Do we carry on the way we are or are parents interested in funding a single project. On previous projects, for example the playground, there is the issue of regular maintenance (last week £2,500 was spent on maintenance). So we need to think about this issue and also the fact that the funding that we receive from local government has changed

Sid Smith spoke about the total spent last year (£15,000) on:
• School Journey – an annual event for year 6
• School trips
• Printer for the PTA
• Music equipment – violins
• Garden planting
• Remedial works for playground
• Chess equipment
• Sports Day
• Transport costs
• PA equipment

Janneke questioned the musical equipment cost, Alan M spoke re how proud he is that the school is inclusive with regards to this and the School journey for year 6 pupils which benefit the children tremendously. He would not like to go back to having a list which has to be approved. He told us that the funding for the music teachers were currently covered by his budget and that the PTA pay for the equipment.

Jo Lynch proposed an evening for parents, which she is planning, which would combine a showcase of the schools IT equipment available along with an E Safety evening. Dates penciled in, to be confirmed, are 25th Jan or 1st Feb. All agreed this was a good idea.

IT Equipment – Proposal to purchase a new charging trolley and net books, either a full set at £8,000 plus VAT or a half set at £3,750. Agreed that we need time to consider this cost (half set). Decision to be given asap

Ruth questioned whether we are committed to the library funding.
There is a fixed amount given for remedial repairs.

Claire questioned whether if we choose this, another item would suffer.

Claire raised the issue of funding - believes certain events should have having a focus on where the money is going or the person running the event having a say. Would give each event a focus and could be motivating if the funds are going to a certain fund. Alternatively we could give money direct to school. No decision was reached on this.

Janneke brought up the subject of whether we could consider investing in languages. Would this be an option? This would involve a big discussion for another time.

3 . Promoting involvement

How do we get people involved in the PTA?
How to we encourage the teachers to get involved?
How to continue the involvement of parents?

How to raise involvement – currently the meetings are held either in the morning or evening to suit different groups which works well, however the issue of how to get teachers involved was raised. Sarah Hill suggested possibly having a lunchtime meeting, perhaps once a year, and everyone agreed this was a good idea.

Debbie proposed having an annual Q & A session with Alan and the parent governors to discuss issues regarding the curriculum, SATs, expansion etc. Alan thought this was an excellent idea (It used to be statutory to have a yearly meeting but was abandoned due to low attendance). All agreed it was a good idea, we need to come up with ideas to make it more attractive to parents. Niall brought up the point that it should have a broad range of issues.

Nora suggested a survey to get opinions and ideas from parents, this was done last year with a poor response. A good idea was raised to possibly try an online survey.

David brought up the point that ideas should be tried again even if they didn’t work in the past, for example the survey.

Ruth suggested that possibly there were too many functions at the end of last year and might be better to structure them better throughout the year.

Naheed brought up the issue of languages within the school and the problems they face and how do we get this group of parents involved.
The PTA committee had already been discussing the possibility of trying to translate our newsletter and how we could go get volunteers to do this. And to get representatives for different languages in the school. Already had some parents who were interested to help.

Alan informed us that there are 35 different languages spoken in the school, the three most common are Urdu, Somali and Polish.
This is to be followed up and raised again at next PTA meeting – work in progress

4. Events – Where we are with planned events and ideas for future events.

Annie gave us an overview of the forthcoming events
Autumn Tea – Nov 9th
November 18th – Ghana Evening
Christmas Shopping Evening – 24th Nov
Christmas Fair – Dec 3rd

Christmas Disco
It was decided with so many events on that it would be held after Christmas. 2 volunteers (Sue M and Christine) volunteered to run the event before Xmas and Morris said he was available on either the 9th or the 16th Dec. Another vote was held and the decision was upheld to hold the event next year, possibly Valentines Day.

Christmas Shopping Event
Penny is organizing this event this year and as well as a handover from last year’s team she has attended many other Christmas shopping events to get ideas. At present she has 9 definite stalls and a huge amount of interest from other potential stallholders. Helpers needed to help set up the room, clear up or anyone who has friends who might be interested to run a stall then please contact Penny.

Christmas Fair
Janneke is organizing the fair this year. Jo is organizing the rota. Janneke proposed changing the event from 2 hours to 3hours and all agreed to this. Volunteers needed- please contact Janneke.

MEETING agreed for next Friday 11th 9am to discuss the Christmas Shopping Event and the Christmas Fair.

Other future events – dates to be arranged
International Evening
Parent’s party
Spring Tea
Vitality Night
Children’s Games Night

Vacant PTA Roles:

Newsletter – After 3 years of compiling the newsletter Kitty is standing down and would like to handover this interesting role to someone – please contact Kitty if interested.

Notice board – Keeping the notice board up to date with events – Nora offered to take on this role with another volunteer, alongside chairs/ vice chair

Christmas Trees – Need a volunteer or two to organize this yearly event of selling Christmas trees.

AOB

Estate Agents Boards – advertising the Christmas Fair – any parents not already on the list and happy to have a board outside their home please see list in the office.

Uniforms – Christine and Amy have jointly taken on this role.

Niall forwarded request to put up a sign outside the school to say we are twinned with Yameriga – agreed unanimously

End of meeting – next PTA meeting – Date to be confirmed.