Welcome to the P. P. S .P. A
Dear Parents,
As your child has recently joined Prenton Preparatory School, you may still be settling in, getting to know your way around and meeting teachers and other parents. I would, therefore, like to take this opportunity to welcome you to the start of the new School Year and also to introduce you to your Parents Association and the work the Association does to benefit the Children at the School. What you may not realise is that as a Parent or Guardian of a pupil attending school, you are automatically a member of the PPS Parents’ Association (PPSPA).
The primary function of the PPSPA is to foster and strengthen the links between parents, families, teachers and the school. This is done by holding a number of fund raising and social events throughout the school year. The PPSPA is not the traditional “PTA” as it has no say in the running of the school or with the academic content of the school day. It does, however, have a close working relationship with the Head teacher and all the staff, who support each event with enthusiasm and commitment. Simply put, the purpose of the Association is to raise funds to help provide improved facilities and activities for the benefit of all our children.
So what exactly do we spend the money raised on?
Here are just some of the things we have helped fund:
- Every year an overnight trip is organised for Year 6 pupils to Barnstondale Activity Centre. Here the children take part in a variety of “outward bound” and teamwork style activities. 50% of the cost of this trip is covered by the Association.
- The Association contributed a substantial sum to assist with the purchase of the new School Mini Bus (as we had several years ago for the previous bus).
- We have funded the refurbishment of the School’s Library.
- We have helped fund the Pre-School play area in the rear garden.
- We have contributed to the funding of the new ArtRoom.
- We have raised funds towards the purchase of an Interactive Whiteboard for the IT/Science department
- Recently we assisted with the complete updating of the School’s IT Suite.
How do we raise these funds?
Throughout the School Year, the Committee organise a variety of events, the key ones being:
- The Christmas Fair – a festive celebration held shortly before the end of term, when we manage to persuade Santa to drop in for a flying visit.
- The Easter "Eggstravaganza" – a showcase for the artistic talents of all the children, with Easter-themed displays judged by you, the parents.
- The Summer Fair – a large variety of stalls and games for everyone to enjoy from Bouncy Castles to Tombola, and not forgetting the very popular Stocks (with incarcerated Teacher).
- The Summer Barbeque – not so much a fund-raiser, but more an opportunity to help cement the “Family” atmosphere engendered throughout the School.
These events do not run themselves, and in fact would not happen at all without the hard work of the Committee members and the volunteer Parents who help set things up and also operate the various stalls.
To carry the Association forward, we are looking for three things.
First of all, any parent who feels that they can spare a little of their time to join as a Committee member. Meetings tend to last an hour to an hour and a half and are about once every 2 months (dependent on timings of events).
Secondly, we are looking to try and widen the scope of our ”network” from which we receive things such as donations for raffle prizes
Thirdly, any parent who can help out at any of the events previously mentioned whether in manning a stall, doing some shopping for stock, helping to set up or tidy away.
If you feel that you can help in any way, please contact me as detailed below or through Mrs. Slater at the School.
Finally, I would just like to notify you that the Parents Association AGM is to be held on the evening of Wednesday 19th October at 7.00pm. It is at this meeting that the Association’s Officials are elected, and the Committee for the coming year is formed. I look forward to seeing as many of you there as possible.
Yours sincerely,
Phil Jones
Phil Jones
Chair
Mobile: O7876 406435
