## **Chairpersons’ Report for AGM 2022-2023** Good evening everyone and welcome to the Bridge Parents’ Group AGM for 2022-2023. For those of you who don’t know me, I am Fiona. I have been on the committee since 2016 and at the last AGM I was voted for Chairperson. Antoinette who has been a very active member of the Parents’ Group for 17 years. Having already raised 3 great young ladies through the school, luckily for me, Antoinette was co-opted back onto the committee last year and became CoChairperson. We have been very lucky to have several committed parents who have given their time and energy to the group over the years, but this year we are losing our valued Secretary, Fiona McCusker. Fiona has had various committee roles over the last 10 years and is leaving us with large shoes to fill. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Fiona for her devotion, her knowledge which has kept us right legally speaking, but most of all her friendship. (Antoinette to present certificate and chocolates). ## Now back to business… The main purpose of the PG is to support our school in any way we can, but especially to raise much needed funds to improve the overall school experiences and wellbeing of all our children which is not normally provided by the Education Authority. As you are all too aware, with the continuous cuts to the education budgets, it is **even more important** for our scool to have alternative sources of funding. It’s important to note that as a **registered charity** , we are governed by the Charity Commission for NI and must adhere to strict guidelines. Therefore, every donor can rest assured that their donations are secure and being put to good use within the school and for the benefit of the children. You will hear from the **Treasurer’s Report** how much was received in donations from the events that were held by the PG, what was spent and what is currently in the bank. ## **EVENTS** With the current economic climate the way it has been, our main focus was on creating **affordable** , fun family experiences rather than making money. In **October** we held a Halloween Event for P1-P4 during school hours and an evening Disco for p5-7 with the usual tuck shop but glow sticks – which sold out in no time. There was a somewhat last minute Christmas Fun Night in **December** and a Family Quiz to help ease the **January** blues! The Friends Disco – 14th **Feb** – was a great success. We ran the usual tuck shop and the glow sticks were a hit again. In **March** we held a Sponsored Fitness Event in partnership with Healthy Kids, who kept everyone one their toes – literally! Tesco provided healthy snacks for every class and much needed ice-pops for a post workout cool down! On Saturday the 1st **April** we did a Tesco Bag Pack at the Castlewellan Road store. We had a few children and parents accompanying us throughout the day, and it was lovely to interact with the wider community. Later in April we had a ‘Chocolate Bingo’, hosted by DJ Greener and our own Mrs Mc Kiverigan. This was a brilliant nights’ craic, but the turnout wasn’t as good as the last one; possibly impacted by the teaching strikes and school closures earlier that day. May was ‘quiet’ to allow preparation time for the another busy **June** : We made up Sports Day tuck bags for the children, there’s very little profit (if any) made from this, but it adds to the fun for the kids. We ran the Tuck Shop, tea/coffee and Raffle during sports day. P7 Show – Wednesday 21[st] - tuck and tea/coffee shop P7 leavers – Tuesday 27[th] June – A gift for each P7 child, and a fun day with inflatables, treats and a BBQ. I know that list might sound like we don’t have lives outside of the school, honestly, we do! And it is actually fun for us too! But seriously, please don’t feel intimidated by it. We’ve been doing it for so long now that everything falls into place. We REALLY just need the ‘person power’ to enable us to run the events. You are not obligated to be **on** the committee – that would be a bonus; but all we ask is that you support us whenever you can, in whatever way you can. Come to our meetings, give us some new ideas, or even constructive feedback. At the end of the day, we’re doing it for the kids!