Halsford Park PTA

The PTA (the Friends of Halsford Park) is a committee of parents and staff who dedicate some free time to help, plan and organise fundraisers and events within the school throughout the year. Our regular activities include Summer and Christmas fairs, School discos, the “200 club” lottery, tuckshops and occasional parent socials. We’d love to do more, and welcome your input and ideas!

As a parent of the school, you are invited to get involved and participate in the Committee as much as you like. It is a great way to get to know other parents and have a say in how we fundraise and support our school.

Why does the school need our PTA?

The PTA aim is to support, enhance and enrich the lives of all the pupils at Halsford Park, from Early Years through to Year 6. Our fundraising provides money for the school to pay for much needed ‘extras’ which are not possible within the school’s shrinking governmental budget.

We have committed to raise and donate a minimum of £8,000 to the school annually. This funding provides each year group with a “classroom fund”, which is usually used to subsidise the travel costs for Year Group trips, reducing the per-pupil price. It also pays for key phonics and SATs resources (used across KS1), resources for in-school activities such as science day, outdoor learning, class crafts, as well as an annual in-school pantomime at Christmas.

On top of this, we fundraise for other specific resources and equipment, and larger capital projects, as agreed by the committee. In past years the PTA has purchased media screens for classrooms, SEN equipment and school laptops. More recently we have redeveloped both school playgrounds, including the much loved Trim Trails. Our current project is the redevelopment of the Learning Labyrinth into a more usable multi-purpose space for computing, library and other useful functions. And our next project will likely be an all weather canopy for the KS1 playground.

Look out for our Comms!

We primarily chat with the school community about news, upcoming events and volunteering opportunities using our private Facebook group “Friends of Halsford Park School” – all parents are encouraged to join the group to find out what is going on! Facebook Group link

In addition, the Friends of Halsford Park PTA Events page is used for selling products and booking events http://www.pta-events.com/friendsofhalsfordpark

Also look out for emails via school, and our posters on the school driveway and occasionally around town! Or you can email us at halsford.pta@gmail.com, or just track one of us down on the playground!

How your PTA works

What happens at meetings?

We convene once every half term for a formal Committee meeting – usually an evening via Zoom. There we discuss and vote on what projects to raise money for, how the money should be raised and how it is spent. We review progress, discuss ideas and outline a calendar of events and upcoming activities. If you have any suggestions or ideas and/or would like a say in how money is raised and spent, please join us!

Planning meetings for specific events or activities are far more informal, and held separately as and when needed, often in a local pub or a committee member’s home with a few drinks!

(As a registered charity, we also hold an annual AGM (usually mid-September) where we formally vote in Charity Trustees and determine our priorities. However, we are pleased to welcome new members at any time throughout the year.)

How you can help

Volunteer! Offering to help at events or at other times during the year is so valuable. It can be volunteering at fairs or after-school events, helping at tuckshops, gardening, baking cakes, wrapping grotto gifts… It is impossible to run our larger events without volunteers. The more people we have, the more stalls and activities we can run, and the more efficiently we can get things done.

Join the Committee! We are always excited to welcome new Committee members, whether they are formal trustees or general members. We need your ideas, creativity, and your time!

Join the 200 Club! This school lottery costs just £2 a month and you could be in with a chance of winning up to £100 in a monthly draw. This is a licensed lottery. You are allocated a number which is entered into the prize draw, and if your number comes up then the winning cheque is yours! All profits go to Halsford Park. Sign up here https://tinyurl.com/HPClub200

Company Matched Funding. Many companies or businesses pledge to donate an amount of money equivalent to that raised by their employee at a specific event or fundraiser. Could that employee be you? Check if you work for a company that offers match funding, and you could double our money!!

Do you shop online? Do your online shopping through either ‘Give as You Live’ or ‘Easyfundraising’ and nominate Friends of Halsford Park as your charity. Once you have registered you raise funds with every click, by shopping at a whole host of online stores. You can book holidays and flights, or purchase insurance, and almost everything you buy online can generate a contribution to the school. It’s so simple and costs you nothing extra. Sign up here: https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/halsfordpark or https://www.giveasyoulive.com/charity/halsfordpta

Sponsor us! If you are a business big or small we will advertise your business with a banner at the event, in our newsletter and on social media.

Turn up! Simply support the PTA by attending our events and bringing along family and friends. They are lots of fun!

Who’s Who – The PTA Committee 2024-2025

Chair: Emma Farrington (Year 1)
Treasurer: Richie Fenwick (Year 1)
Secretary: Tudor Fenwick (Year 1)
Nicola Anderson (Early Years & Year 1)
Giselle Fenwick (Year 1)
Paula Broad (Year 2 & Year 3)
Lucy Carey (Year 3 & Year 6)
Ine Concia (Year 1)
Penny Duly (Year 3 & Year 5)
Nicola Keeler (Year 3)
Mandy Lawlor (Year 3)
Serena Nygaard (Early Years)
Our superb teacher reps are Mrs Spencer, Miss Loftus, Ms Davies and Mrs Gibbons.
The PTA is also supported by Stacy Shires (Preloved Uniform) & Lucy Hall (200 Club Lottery).

What the PTA means to our school

School Governors

“The Governing Body of Halsford Park are glad that we have such a dedicated and proactive PTA. We support their work in providing a range of activities and equipment that further enrich the experience of our children and our school community. It is a great way to get involved and have fun!”

School Student Council

‘They are really helpful.. if we need something they help us to do a fundraiser so that we can buy it’.. ‘..they care for the school and all the children..’

Headteacher

“Our PTA work very hard to raise funds to support a wealth of activities in our school and provide additional resources to supplement our resources to support teaching and learning as well as our inside and outside environment. Both the Summer Fair and the Christmas Fair are highlights in the PTA calendar which provide wonderful opportunities for children and their families to enjoy a really special day out.”