2023-03-31-accounts - Freetown Secondary School For Girls Ex-Pupils Association UK And Ireland

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

Trustees' Annual Report for the period

Period start date Period end date 01 April 2022 31 March 2023

From

Section A Reference and administration details

FREETOWN SECONDARY SCHOOL FOR GIRLS EX- Charity name PUPILS ASSOCIATION, UK & IRELAND Other names charity is known by FSSGIANS UK Registered charity number (if any) 1191039

Charity's principal address 68 BELLINGHAM ROAD

LONDON Postcode SE6 2PT

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

Trustee name	Office (if any)	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany)
Madlyne Harding	President / Chair Trustee	Annual General Meeting and Elections
Sitnah Palmer	Vice President / Trustee	Annual General Meeting and Elections
Grace Elizabeth Christiana Akinlusi	Treasurer Trustee	Annual General Meeting and Elections
Angela Fubara	Assistant Treasurer Trustee	Annual General Meeting and Elections
Harolda C. E. O. Williams-Babin	General Secretary / Trustee	Annual General Meeting and Elections
Amorette Decker	Assistant General Secretary/ Trustee	Annual General Meeting and Elections
Kadijatu McEwen	Social Secretary / Trustee	Annual General Meeting and Elections
Jasmil Cole Smith	Assistant Social Secretary/ Trustee	Annual General Meeting and Elections
Leona Macauley	Publicity Officer / Trustee	Annual General Meeting and Elections
Willia Olu-Williams	Assistant Publicity Officer / Trustee	Annual General Meeting and Elections
Reverend Bernice Lemon-Thomas	Pastoral Office / Trustee	Annual General Meeting and Elections
Vida Wills	Pastoral Officer / Trustee	Annual General Meeting and Elections
Adekemi Bull	Trustee	Annual General Meeting and Elections
Elizabeth Jinadu	Trustee	Annual General Meeting and Elections
Doris Crompton- Thomas	Trustee	Annual General Meeting and Elections

TAR

March 2012

16 17 18 19 20

Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)

Name Dates acted if not for whole year

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)	Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)	Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of adviser Name Address




Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Section B Structure, governance and management

Description of the charity’s trusts

CONSTITUTION Type of governing document (eg. trust deed, constitution) CHARITY INCORPORATED ORGANISATION (ASSOCIATION) How the charity is constituted

(eg. trust, association, company)

Trustees are appointed or re-appointed at the biennial Annual General Trustee selection methods Meeting. The term of office for each elected Trustee shall be two years. A (eg. appointed by, elected by) Trustee shall hold the same office for no more than two consecutive terms

Additional governance issues (Optional information)

You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about:

policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees;
the charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works;

Our policies include Code of Conduct (Bye laws), Equal Opportunity and Diversity, Safeguarding, Volunteering, Functions and duties of charity trustees. The charity is managed by the Trustees, headed by the President (Chair) of the organisation. The organisation works in partnership with other alumni branches in Sierra Leone, The Gambia and the United States. The trustees manage the affairs of the charity in good faith and with due regard to the will of members to further the purposes of the CIO. Trustees have a wide range of special knowledge and experience and show due consideration to any major risks that the charity may be exposed to and have established procedures in place to Manage them.

relationship with any related parties;
trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage

TAR

March 2012

them.

Section C Objectives and activities

The advancement of quality education, particularly for the pupils of the Freetown Secondary School for Girls, Sierra Leone. (2) Support and assist the provision of educational facilities and a safe learning Summary of the objects of the environment for pupils at the Freetown Secondary School for Girls, charity set out in its resulting in improved pupils’ outcomes governing document

	Objectives and activities
	The advancement of quality education, particularly for the pupils of the Freetown Secondary School for Girls, Sierra Leone. (2) Support and assist the provision of educational facilities and a safe learning environment for pupils at the Freetown Secondary School for Girls, resulting in improved pupils’ outcomes
Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects (include within this section the statutory declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit)	Luncheon Sale We had a successful Luncheon Sale on 11 June 2022 that was well attended and we raised a substantial amount (See account). Africana Night Our Africana night on 24 September 2022 was a huge success despite the low turnout from members. However, we had the support from non- members and it turned out to be one of our most successful events. Thanksgiving Service Our 38thAnnual Thanksgiving Service on 22 January 2023, celebrating our Alma mater’s 97thanniversary was conducted in person at St Giles Church, Camberwell. This was a successful event as we got to meet in person since our last face to face thanksgiving in 2020. Thanks to all our members, patrons and supporters for their continued support and donations made towards the above fundraising events. We continued with our monthly meetings, virtually and we had three face to face meetings which were also successful. We had the privilege to meet with and socialise with some of our senior members who are disadvantaged by technology and have not been able to join in, on our Zoom meetings. Our members continued with their annual subscription and voluntary donations. Trustees are aware of the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit/funds and that none of the income of the charity may be paid or transferred directly or indirectly by way of dividend, bonus or otherwise by way of profit to any member of the charity. All funds raised are for public benefit.

Objectives and activities

The advancement of quality education, particularly for the pupils of the
Freetown Secondary School for Girls, Sierra Leone. (2) Support and
assist the provision of educational facilities and a safe learning
environment for pupils at the Freetown Secondary School for Girls,
resulting in improved pupils’ outcomes

Summary of the main
activities undertaken for the
public benefit in relation to
these objects (include within
this section the statutory
declaration that trustees have
had regard to the guidance
issued by the Charity
Commission on public
benefit)

Luncheon Sale
We had a successful Luncheon Sale on 11 June 2022 that was well
attended and we raised a substantial amount (See account).
Africana Night
Our Africana night on 24 September 2022 was a huge success despite
the low turnout from members. However, we had the support from non-
members and it turned out to be one of our most successful events.
Thanksgiving Service
Our 38thAnnual Thanksgiving Service on 22 January 2023, celebrating
our Alma mater’s 97thanniversary was conducted in person at St Giles
Church, Camberwell. This was a successful event as we got to meet in
person since our last face to face thanksgiving in 2020.
Thanks to all our members, patrons and supporters for their continued
support and donations made towards the above fundraising events.
We continued with our monthly meetings, virtually and we had three face
to face meetings which were also successful. We had the privilege to
meet with and socialise with some of our senior members who are
disadvantaged by technology and have not been able to join in, on our
Zoom meetings.
Our members continued with their annual subscription and voluntary
donations.
Trustees are aware of the Charity Commission guidance on public
benefit/funds and that none of the income of the charity may be paid or
transferred directly or indirectly by way of dividend, bonus or otherwise by
way of profit to any member of the charity. All funds raised are for public
benefit.

Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)

TAR

March 2012

You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, about:

The charity is made up of ex-pupils (Alumni) who are volunteers and give up their time, financial contribution and expertise to improve the standard of the organisation and increase our fund-raising efforts.

policy on grantmaking;
policy programme related investment;
contribution made by volunteers.

Section D Achievements and performance

Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year

2022 -2023 in review

Fundraising events

Our three main fundraising events i.e. Luncheons Sale, Africana Night and Thanksgiving were all successful and made profits for the association.

Annual returns

We successfully submitted our second Annual Returns and within the time frame. We also registered with the HMRC and in the process of claiming Gift Aid from our donations.

Bye Laws and Code of Conduct

We completed the Bye Laws and Code of Conduct which will complement our CIO Constitution and this was ratified at our AGM.

Bank accounts

With our new status as a Charity Incorporated Organization (CIO), we are required to upgrade our Bank Accounts to meet the Charity Commission standards.

We successfully opened three Online Bank Accounts with Metro Bank in July 2022 and we transferred our accounts from Natwest Bank into the new accounts. One current account; one subscription current account; and one savings account. These accounts provide instant access to our accounts, easy transactions and statements.

Project

In March 2023, we embarked on refurbishing and equipping the Foods & Nutrition room and the Clothing & Textiles room as our identified project in the school. The refurbishment will enable the girls in the Home Economics stream to take their practical lessons, and external

TAR

March 2012

Section D Achievements and erformance p

examinations in a well-equipped cookery room and needlework room, giving the girls better opportunities for higher pass grades. This project was split into two halves due to the financial costs. Phase 1 was the Foods & Nutrition room and this has successfully been completed. Phase 2 will be the Clothing & Textiles room, to be completed the following year.

I can proudly say we have completed the Foods & Nutrition room. We replaced the entire roof of the wing starting from the Cookery room to the Library. The interior rooms were also refurbished and now equipped with both electric and gas cookers; Deep freezers; gas cylinders; Microwaves; work station tables; white boards etc. We added extra security measures to the doors and windows.

We plan to furnish the store room with utensils and equipment, before formally handing the finished Foods & Nutrition room to the school for start of Academic Year, September 2023.

Benevolent Fund guidelines March 2023 – Benevolent Fund Guidelines draft completed to be formally ratified at AGM.

We continue to support the school financially in collaboration with our sister branches in Freetown, and in the diaspora.

Section E Financial review

The objective of our Charity is to aid our school in Freetown. Most of our Brief statement of the income is designated for projects such as the maintenance of buildings charity’s policy on reserves and other facilities, improvement to the educational development of the students through provision of adequate teaching equipment. We aim to retain sufficient reserves for our fundraising events, unforeseen circumstances and sustainability and, to enable Trustees to respond rapidly to urgent matters or requests from the school in Freetown. Details of any funds materially N/A in deficit

Further financial review details (Optional information)

TAR

March 2012

You may choose to include additional information, where relevant about:

the charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising);
how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity;
investment policy and objectives including any ethical investment policy adopted.

Our principal sources of income are our fundraising activities such as annual Luncheon sale, Africana Night and Thanksgiving service. We also rely on members generosity making monetary donations, paying for goods and services or donating items, food and drinks towards events. Their generous donations significantly reduces the overheads when organizing fundraising events.

Our CIO successfully refurbished and equipped a Foods & Nutrition room in the Home Economics department for the pupils in the school in Freetown. This facility is now benefitting the girls in their practical lessons.

Section F Other optional information

Section G Declaration

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date	MHarding	Angelafubara
	Madlyne Harding	Angela Fubara
	President / Chair Trustee	Asst Treasurer / Trustee
	30/1/2024
	30/1/2024

TAR

March 2012

FREETOWN SECONDARY SCHOOL FOR GIRLS EX-pUPs ASSOCLATION UK&I srATEMENT OF FINANcL ACTMTIES YEAR ENDING 31¥t AIARCH 2023 Ch4rlty Rog. no. 1191039 Y••r èntllng 31 rch 2023 Y•af antllng 31 March 2022 INCOMING RESOURCES FUNDRAJSING EVENTS Th8nksgiwng Global Weekend E¥enl Ivirtuall Luncheon Sale June 2022 Africana Nuhl September 2022 DONATIONS Members subscr)tK)ns Birfhdays MERCHANDISE Halbands. Masks & Badges OTHER RECEIPTS Interest Hall deposit relund PrK)r year debt recovered 5.149 50 4,842 41 3,597.39 4.969 00 17.330.87 2,940.00 1.14500 9000 3,277.00 577.00 5822 575 00 526 00 189 500 00 1,970.37 TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THE YEAR 34,825.S9 12,724.06 EXPENSES FUNDRWSING EVENTS Thanksgmng Global Weekend Event (Mrtuall Luncheon Sale June 2022 Africana Night September 2022 MEM8ERSHIP. BENEVOLENCE & DONATIONS 2,877.34 350.00 430.00 2.584.72 10.757 72 Benevolent donatn8 Donatb)n lo olher organisatsons DIREGT SUPPORT TO THE SCHOOL Contributb)n lo the schth's IFSSGI one shift programme Cost of school's kitchen refurbishment MERCHANDISE albands, Badge5 & Face masksl Tokens GOVERNANCE & ADMIN EXPENSES Bank charges Website fee8 Zoom charges AGM & ElectK)n ewen8es Meeting Hall Hire TOTAL EXPENDrfuRE FOR THE YEAR 429 92 410.00 1.711 99 30.00 5.538.00 18.000.00 7,660.00 350.00 25.(K) 141.75 115.06 100.65 273.41 150.00 164.00 350.00 43,361.51 9.098.05 Exe08$ of Incom• Ov•r Expon• Oponlng Balanco 81Fwd Cl-osing Balanc• CIFwd 31$t Mwrch 2023 8,525.92 3.626.01 38,813.87 30,287.95 35,187.86 38,813.87 Thi¥ k¢ou1 h approt4•d by th• Tnt•08¥ •lgn•d on th•lr b•haW On Slgned Name. Madlyne Ha1 Trlu•l Sign•d Name Trivsteo P3ge2 Angela Fubara

Report of the Iodependent ExAD)iner to the members of Freetown Secondary School for Girls Ex-Pupils Association UK & Ird2nd Re: FINAL ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR TO THE 31st MARCH 2023 I have examined the accounts of the Freetown Sewndary School for Girls Ex- Pupils Association vAEicb have been prepared on a Receipts & Payments basis foi the year to 31'March 2023 It is my responsibility to examine the accounts without perfornling an audit and to report to the Trustees Respective responsibiltties of the Trnstees The Trustees are responsible for the pparatiOn of the accounts They are responsKble for keeping prow acwunting records wbich disclose with reasonable accuracy the financial position of the charity and which enables them to ensure that the Accounts wmply with th¢ rcgulations under section 43 (7) (b ) of the charities Act 2011. They are responsible for safeguarding the &ssets (Its Cash & Bank Acwunts & its debtors) and hence for tsking reasonable steps to prevent and detect errors fraud or other irregularities Independent Examinees statemenL Based on my examittation Nothing has come to my attentlon which gives me reasonable cause to lieVe thaL in any material respecL The iequirements to l. Keep proper accounting records in accordance wÈth scrtion 130 of the cknities Act 2011 2, Prepare accounts which agree with tbe accounting red5 and comply with accounting requirements have not been ot. l express my satisfaction that the records kept are in awment with this Accounts Independent Examiner Dated 28" January 2024 CASP Project 702 High Road Leyton London EIO.6JP Page I